Movements of Echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus, Determined by Marking-Recapture and Radio-tracking

Abstract

Marking-recapture studies have confirmed that echidnas stay within a suitable habitat. Radiotracking studies showed that they have a definite home range with a diameter in the order of 800 m, which may overlap with that of a number of conspecifics. Neither males nor females without young used a specific site during inactive periods, although certain sites offering good cover were re-used during the winter season. Daily activity periods varied throughout the year and correlated more with ambient temperature than with photoperiod.