Height
3 meters
Year Built
2005
Address
Various locations
The Lowdown
The Big Echidna celebrates one of Australia's most remarkable and distinctive creatures - the short-beaked echidna. This oversized spiny anteater captures the unique features of these monotremes: the long snout for probing ant nests, the powerful digging claws, and the covering of sharp spines that protect against predators. Echidnas are one of only five species of monotremes (egg-laying mammals) in the world, and the only one found across all of mainland Australia. The Big Echidna honors this ancient species that has walked our land virtually unchanged for 20 million years.
Did you know?
"They appear on the Australian five cent coin"
History
Echidnas feature on the Australian five cent coin and are found across the entire continent. Big Echidna sculptures celebrate this ancient and unique Australian animal that has survived unchanged for millions of years.
More Fun Facts
- •Echidnas are one of only five monotreme species (egg-laying mammals)
- •They appear on the Australian five cent coin
- •Baby echidnas are called puggles
- •Echidnas can live over 50 years in captivity
- •They have no teeth and catch prey with sticky tongues
Visiting Tips
- 💡Watch for real echidnas when bushwalking
- 💡They curl into a ball of spines when threatened
- 💡Echidnas are found all across Australia
- 💡Don't disturb wild echidnas - they're protected
- 💡Visit wildlife parks for guaranteed sightings
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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