Longbeaked echidna rediscovered in remote Papua mountains after 60 years

November 10, 2023 8:32 PM

Long-beaked echidna rediscovered in remote Papua mountains after 60 years. Scientists rediscover a long-lost species of mammal described as having the spines of a hedgehog, the snout of an anteater and the feet of a mole, in Papua's Cyclops Mountains more than 60 years after it was last recorded.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (13 comments total)

It’s always the last place you look, isn’t it?

It’s kind of like that joke about the guy looking for his keys.

I thought you said you lost them in the remote Papua mountains?
Yeah, but the light’s better over here.
posted by Naberius at 10:09 PM on November 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

Dr Kempton's team survived an earthquake, malaria and even a leech attached to an eyeball during their trip.

Yes yes, super rare creature found, amazing science. But can we talk about the freaking EYEBALL LEECHES for a second?
posted by biscotti at 4:36 AM on November 11, 2023

He’s not missing. He was just guarding the Master Emerald.
posted by Servo5678 at 5:29 AM on November 11, 2023

Did they lose ALL of the animals in Australia? How many can they rediscover?
posted by briank at 6:53 AM on November 11, 2023

Did they lose ALL of the animals in Australia? How many can they rediscover?

briank, this animal was actually in Papua New Guinea, which is a sovereign country to the north of Australia, separated from Australia by the Arafura Sea.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 7:52 AM on November 11, 2023

The echidna is also the only mammal that lays eggs!
posted by rhizome at 9:18 AM on November 11, 2023

The echidna is also the only mammal that lays eggs!

rhizome, the platypus also lays eggs!
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 9:20 AM on November 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

More echidnas =more adorableness!
posted by kitten kaboodle at 9:37 AM on November 11, 2023

But can we talk about the freaking EYEBALL LEECHES for a second?

NO

but also yay!! its always good news to know that a species is surviving despite our depredations.
posted by supermedusa at 9:54 AM on November 11, 2023

Oh well, I thought the echidna was the only mammal that did something, but I guess it's just monotremes in general. :sadface:
posted by rhizome at 10:15 AM on November 11, 2023

this animal was actually in Papua New Guinea, which is a sovereign country to the north of Australia, separated from Australia by the Arafura Sea.

Well no wonder it took so long to find them!
posted by Naberius at 12:56 PM on November 11, 2023

This is absolutely wonderful news!

What a splendid animal.

I especially liked reading about the Yongsu Sapari traditions involving these echidna.

Thank you so much for posting this, chariot pulled by cassowaries!
posted by kristi at 1:19 PM on November 11, 2023

The echidna not only lays eggs (like its fellow monotremes), but they also have ankle spurs. Are they venomous in this echidna species, like their cousin the platypus? More eyeball leeches will be required to find out!
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 7:58 PM on November 11, 2023