Will they visit?: Echidnas will occasionally visit home gardens located near local reserves, parks, or bushland
Natural Distribution: Widespread and common throughout the South West and Perth region.
Short-beaked echidna – (C)Whiteman Park
Echidna – (C)Ry Beaver
Echidna – (C)Ry Beaver
Habitat at a Glance
See Habitat Guide for more detail
Shelter: Burrows, hollow logs, thick leaf litter
Diet: Insects and invertebrates
Water: Large native ponds
ReWild Benefit: Ecological engineer and improve soil health
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
Echidnas will exploit an array of habitats and are more common in Perth than most realise! Echidnas like to hide in fallen hollows, burrows, and thick leaf-litter on the ground. A large fallen log, rockeries, and mulch piles will make good shelter.
Novel Shelter
It is not recommended to provide a novel habitat for an echidna.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
A critical part of their diet includes termites, ants, worms, and larvae. A well vegetated garden with a good layer of mulch will attract these desired invertebrates.
Providing sources of water
Echidnas enjoy swimming and bathing in ponds and water bodies. To enable an echidna to easily enter and exit a large pond, place a large flat rock or log on the edge of the pond and the dryland.
ReWild Benefits
Echidnas constantly dig in search of shelter and prey. This movement of soil traps organic matter and improves the health of the overall ecosystem. If you see an Echidna, you can record your sighting on Atlas of Living Australia!
