The Enigmatic Echidna
Secrets of the world's most curious creature
Discover the captivating world of the echidna
There are few animals more unusual than the echidna – a spiky, egg-laying mammal that eats ants. But some of the most striking things about echidnas are things most of us don't know. That they use their snout like a snorkel when they swim, can sense electromagnetic fields, have intriguingly complex brains, startling physical strength and 'backwards' back feet. That they go into torpor when conditions are poor and can shelter from fires underground. And that during the mating season, males form an orderly echidna train behind a female, waiting to impress her with some very strange reproductive equipment!
In The Enigmatic Echidna, biologist and award-winning author Danielle Clode follows the echidna on its eclectic path through the Australian landscape. Equal parts surprising, amusing and enlightening, this book is an irresistible journey into their unique and beautiful world..
Published by Black Inc (Aust/NZ)
Available in paperback and ebook
Praise for the book
‘an enchanting and very worthwhile book'—Dave Witty, Australian Book Review
‘a book rich with intriguing facts and delightfully poetic turns of phrase'—Ellie Pope, Books + Publishing
‘a new book from Danielle Clode is always a treat and The Enigmatic Echidna is no exception'—Sophie Cunningham, author of City of Trees
‘Written with rigour and expansive curiousity, it contains multitudes'—James Bradley, author of Deep Water
‘Fascinating, endearing and beautifully written'— Inga Simpson, author of Understorey: A Life with Trees