Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 20 November 2022

Sunday Selections #608

 

 

 
Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. 

Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image. 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle. 
 
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 

I usually run with a theme.  This week is a little different.  The photos are not good quality (for which I apologise).  Coming home from Lifeline last week I had a truly exciting experience.  I didn't have my camera with me and these are all taken on my phone.  And taking photos was not my focus.

I got off the bus and started to head for home.  At the intersection of my street and a larger road I spotted something on the road which made my heart race.  I looked.  I looked again.  And I was right.  There was an echidna in the middle of the road.  It is quite a busy road and the echidna was definitely not safe.  So I headed into the road to stop traffic and escorted the echidna across.  It stopped at the gutter and just as I was thinking I was going to have to scoop it up, it climbed the gutter and headed into the undergrowth under a gum tree.  I do hope that it is safe, and also hope it finds friends/family.  My city is known as the bush capital and I knew that it has a population of echidnas but I didn't expect to see one in the suburbs.







And in other news.  The poor kittens still have feline coronavirus.  We will be going back to the vet again (hopefully early next week).  However that trip might have to be delayed.  Himself tested positive for Covid late on Friday, and I assume I also have the dread disease.  This is a bit worrying because both of us fall firmly into the vulnerable people category.  I haven't yet tested for it because our RATs are in short supply and while I can order others online they won't be delivered on the weekend.  How and where we got it is a bit of a mystery.  We are almost always masked in public, fully vaccinated and socially distanced.  We both feel very ordinary indeed (Australian slang for pretty woeful), but will hopefully recover quickly (though I may not be commenting as much as usual).

This photo (taken in the city centre) sums up my current feelings.


I hope you find sunshine in your weeks too.


132 comments:

  1. Love the Echidna photos! I've never seen one before. Well done for getting it across the road safely. I'm so sorry you all have the dreaded covid, and just hope it doesn't make any of you too ill.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: Thank you. I wish that I had taken better photos - but the echidna's safety was my prime concern.

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  2. Dear EC
    I am so sorry that you have covid. I hope that you will have the less virulent strains. We have both had it here but it affected us differently. Chris had a cough and felt as if he had a bad cold and I felt absolutely dreadful for an afternoon, had to go to bed but then felt better the next day. It is such a contagious virus that although you were masked up, someone else will have passed it to you.
    I hope the kitties will recover - what a horrible time you are all having.
    To end on a positive - how exciting indeed to see the echidna and to be able to help it.
    Take care of yourselves.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: It was very exciting to see the echidna. We are all feeling fairly sick here, but hope to recover quickly.

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  3. It seems covid came to stay. Hope you recuperate soon and with no long-term effects and no impact on your
    everyday functioning.
    Good deed late in the evening. :) It is so you!!

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    1. Caterina: I couldn't have done anything else and was so glad to be able to escort the echidna off the road - a road I hope it stays well away from.

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  4. Greetings from blustery Minnesota, seems a bit of bittersweet here, so sorry about covid for himself and the kitties, hopefully you'll be okay, it seems sometimes it doesn't go through the entire household. I think it's such a mysterious thing as it strikes those vaccinated or not. My sister-in-law got it a few weeks ago and she didn't know a soul (not even family members) that had it either. Unknow where she got it, but she did have a tick bite just before. I wonder if that was how, but she thinks not. Hopefully you'll all be well soon. Onto the sweet part of you sighting of what appears like a hedgehog here. How wonderful that sighting was for you, and your pictures are wonderful. Take good care!

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    1. 21 Wits: The echidna is yet another of Australia's weird animals. They are an egglaying mammal - the link in the post will give you a little more detail. Who knows where we got covid from, but get it we have.

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  5. The cats, hubby, AND you?! 🤦‍♂️

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    1. Mike: I am going to see if third time lucky is the charm. My reply to you keeps failing. We seem to have made covid a family affair.

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  6. Hi EC - so lovely to see the Echidna ... though not so happy news re the dreaded Covid .. I hope all recover and have a better week than you thought you all might ... all the very best ... but that Echnida is encouraging ...

    No worries re the comments - we'll see you when you feel able to get around ... just relax and rest up ... with thoughts - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: It was truly lovely to see the echidna and a privilege to be able to escort it off the road. Fingers crossed that we all recover quickly.

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  7. I had never heard the word "Echidna" before. I had to look it up online and was surprised to read it is an ant eater. So good of you to help it get out of traffic.

    So sorry to read that Batty and Odie are still not well. Even more so that your partner has Covid, even if he was masked. I sincerely hope you don't have it, because I know it affects the more vulnerable the hardest. Please stay safe and strong, but if you find you test positive, stay in bed, stay safe, and get lots of rest and fluids, dear.

    Cripes! Failed to Publish has returned.

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    1. Bleubeard and Elizabeth: I put a link about the echidna in the post - but didn't make it clear enough. Sorry about that.
      I do indeed have covid but am vaccinated and boosted so I am hoping that we all get a mild dose. Failed to publish has delayed me replying to the comments. Sigh. Thank you for persevering.

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  8. Like Hilary said, don't worry about commenting. Hoping for a mild case for all of you. It's maddening when you do all the right things and still get exposed anyway.

    I wonder if Echidna and hedgehogs are cousins? I'm glad you were able to move him along.

    Hugs to you and keeping all my fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!
    (I had a fail to publish too)

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    1. River Fairchild: I have had a fail to publish too. I cannot (yet) reply to Mike. Fingers crossed that we all recover quickly. And hugs.

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  9. "Feck off, covid!" as Father Jack would very probably say. My good thoughts are with the four of you.
    And thank you for telling of your encounter with the echidna. What lovely pictures in my head watching you heading into the road to stop traffic and escorting the echidna across.
    Serendipity comes to my mind.
    The peace of the night!

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    1. Sean Jeating: 'Feck off, covid" is entirely appropriate. It was wonderful to see the echidna and even more wonderful to be able to assist. Lifeline was gruelling again and I arrived home with a HUGE smile on my face. I hope your presence in the blogosphere means you are feeling better.

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  10. The echidna is looking special. Cute.

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  11. So sorry to hear that you and your other half have Covid - I hope that you both have a mild strain, and get over it quickly... unlike the kittens, poor little things.

    I was so happy to see the photos of the echidna; it is many years since I saw part of one (it dodged into the bushes) at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Our daughter was only about 6 at the time and cried because she hadn't seen all of it! Mr A, who's English, lived in Sydney for about 8 years before moving to NZ, but he had no idea what an echidna was - and still doesn't :)

    Take care of yourselves and don't worry about commenting - hope you're well again really soon x

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    1. Alexia: Thank you. Echidnas move surprisingly quickly don't they? Once this one got moving, it moved at quite a speed.
      I hope that we all recover quickly too. Himself is still asleep, but I can hear him coughing. A lot.

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  12. I have never seen an echidna outside a zoo, I'm very glad you stopped to help it. So very sorry to hear about the kitties and yourselves though. I hope you both have mild cases and recover quickly. I 've been lucky so far and still wear a mask on buses and in shops. I mailed you a little something on Friday.

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    1. River: I have seen echnidnas before - but not in the suburbs. I was very glad to be able to help. Fingers crossed we all recover quickly. And thank you.

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  13. Well done on stopping to help the echidna.
    So sorry the kittens are still not too good.
    Sending my good wishes to you both for a speedy recovery from Covid.
    Please do not worry about commenting just concentrate on getting over Covid.

    Lots of good wishes coming to you across the miles.

    All the best Jan

    PS Hope I do not disappear into spam this week!

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: You were saved spam jail this comment. And I check it daily.
      I was thrilled to see (and help) the echidna. And thank you.

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  14. Oh! Dear! I'm sorry to learn what you both are dealing with at present, EC. My thoughts and best wishes go out to you for a speedy recovery...and my similar thoughts and best wishes to your two little furry mates.

    Things HAVE to look up soon...very soon. Distressing news...I know what I'm about to say next is redundant...take good care.

    I've only ever seen two echidnas...one when I was living on Newry Island, and the other a few years ago, here on this property.

    Let's hope the coming week is a better week all round.

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    1. Lee: Thank you. I hope ALL of us move into recovery mode. And stay there.

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  15. My husband and I had Covid in late September. paxlovid helped us. I hope you recover quickly, EC.

    The Echidna photos are great. I’ve never seen one!

    Hope the cats feel better soon too!

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    1. Marie Smith: Thank you. It is rare to see echdnas here - but so very welcome.

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  16. Did you get it from the cats? Or is the type they have strictly a feline variety? Cats and dogs and many other animals were getting Covid during the pandemic, usually from their humans, but I think there were cases of animal to human, but not sure on that. It's rare. Will you go on the anti viral pills? Are you cats on anti virals? When I took in a cat sick with herpes virus, that had claimed one of her eyes already, the vet gave me some anti virals that were amazing they worked so well. Do Echidnas spines detach for protection? They look so much like a porcipine or hedgehog.

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    1. Strayer: Thank you. I have no idea where I got it from, but suspect it was from a person rather than the kittens. Anti virals are hard to get here. I am not certain that I could get them - though I will try next week. Echidnas spines stay attached.

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  17. I'm so glad that you got the chance to take photos of the Echidna and see it to safety.

    I too was wondering if the Covid virus was passed on to you and your husband from the kittens. In any case, I hope that you'll recuperate quickly.

    Take care of yourself and don't worry about commenting on blogs until you get to feel better.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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    1. Julia: As i said to Stayer I have no idea where we got the virus from. And thank you.

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  18. Sorry, to read about the covid infections. I wish you a speedy recovery. Don't worry about commenting. Get some rest.

    Peace and health to you

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  19. Thanks for taking care of Ms Echidna. The photos are really quite good.
    I really wish you well with the plague. It made me tired for a long time, take things easy ❤️❤️

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    1. kylie: Of course I took care of the echidna. At the moment we are sneezing and coughing up a storm. Ms and a thyroid issue mean I am always tired.

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  20. Lovely creatures and you are ever so kind to help it across the road. The cats, well let's hope they improve quickly for they seem to have had the virus for awhile now.
    As for yourself, take care, drink plenty of water and rest as I'm sure you won't feel like doing anything else. Speedy recovery you both.

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    1. Margaret D: As is usual I had to rescue you from spam. The kittens have indeed been sick for a long time now. I do hope the vet has a solution this time. And thank you.

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  21. Fingers crossed you will not have Covid.
    It was so kind of you to escort the echidna across the road.
    Hope the kittens recover quickly, as well as Himself.

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: You too had gone to spam jail. I hope all of us recover quickly.

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  22. Your immediate response to the creature says everything about you. May you all at your house be well very soon dear friend.

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    1. Cloudia: Of course I went to protect the echidna. I couldn't live with myself if I hadn't. And thank you.

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  23. Interesting little critter--- quills and all. I wonder what it would be like if you tried to pick it up... Take care of yourself. I wear a mask whenever I'm out-- very few people do. We have all appropriate shots. I hope you and himself will be totally over it in a day or two, and that there are no long term effects.

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    1. Bill: I have no idea what it would have felt like to pick up the echidna - and didn't want to stress it out any further. Thank you for your good wishes. Here's hoping.

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  24. I saw my first echidna ever in Canberra, Sue. What an entrancing animal and so representative of the wonderful fauna of Australia. I am glad that it was able to get across the street safely due to the efforts of a Lifeline volunteer; very appropriate I think! I am sorry to hear that the whole family has COVID, but I hope you will all recover soon, cats and humans alike. Will this pandemic ever end? Probably not; COVID is here to stay, I fear. Take good care of yourself. Miriam and I will be thinking of you. David xo

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: Where in Canberra did you see the echidna? They are fascinating little beasts aren't they? I hope that we all recover quickly, and am grateful that we have escaped the dread disease for so long. Thank you to both you and Miriam as well.

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    2. It was in Campbell Park. Interestingly, I was looking at a family group of White-winged Choughs, and glanced down and the Echidna was almost right at my feet. The other thing I remember about that encounter is that I met a woman who was originally from Muskoka, Ontario.

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    3. David M. Gascoigne: That sounds like a wonderful day of serendipitous encounters.

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  25. This is the first time I've heard of that creature echidna, perhaps I've heard it called other names. At first glance it almost looks like a hedgehog. Hope you're family gets well @theglobaldig.blogspot.com

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    1. Trin Carl: I don't know that the echidna is called by other names, and am glad to introduce it to you. Thank you.

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  26. That looks like a porcupine. Lovely that you helped it across the street. Hope you and your partner and the cats make a full recovery. Take care.

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    1. gigi-hawaii: The echidna is our equivalent of a porcupine I suppose, but like so many Australian animals, a bit of an oddity. I am so grateful I was there at the right time. And thank you.

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  27. Excellent work on that echidna and for the capture of the photos, well done.
    I do hope recovery is in sight for you and that your cases are mild, fingers crossed and full recovery for the wee lads too.
    XO
    WWW

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  28. That echidna looks very much like my hedgehog? are they the same family? I wonder.
    Sorry about the dreaded Covid, it is such a bother when it stops you dead from doing things you have planned. Apart from making you poorly (or ordinary). Poor pussies, hope they'll soon be better too.
    Good luck to all of you.

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    1. Friko: The echidna and the hedgehog come from very different families despite some visual similarities. I would love to see a hedgehog (and to see echidnas more often too).
      I hope all of us get better soon.

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  29. Thanks for the story, the photos, and the link to Echidna. That sure sounds like an adventure. well done on saving it. I'm sad to hear you caught that drat virus, probably from the kittens, poor things, I hope you all get well soon.
    And just read and enjoy all posts, comment when and if you feel up to it - but remember to post just an "I'm still alive" will do; to tell us that you are!

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    1. Charlotte(MotherOwl): Thank you. I doubt that we did get our illness from the kittens. I think a human was responsible (careful though we have tried to be). I do hope that we all improve quickly. The kittens perhaps most of all because they have been sick for a long time now.

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    2. I just looked it up. There are so far no evidence that you can get Covid from pest - wecan give it to cats and dogs, but not vice versa. I sure hope yo u all get well soon. I'm off to have my fourth jab in an hour.

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    3. Charlotte (MotherOwl): That is what I had learned too - and hope that we didn't give the poor kittens human covid. Good luck with your protective jab.

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  30. Beautiful Echidna images, ours have a Hedgehog.
    I caught dearly corvid, I spend the 5 night in hospital, so you had corvid, horrid little bug EC.

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    1. Bob Bushell: I am sorry that you had time in hospital with covid and hope you have recovered quickly. Horrid little bug indeed.

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  31. I was hoping to hear better news about the kittens, but instead your entire family has succumbed to the scourge. Thank you for introducing me to echidnas. Never heard of them before this post. Thank you for saving it. And I hope you will all hunker down and rest and get well soon!

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    1. DJan: Thank you. Scourge it is. I hope that you have a wonderful trip to see your family - and happy significant birthday.

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  32. What cool photos of the echidna - they're fascinating animals! Very kind of you to usher it across the road. :-)

    I'm so sorry to hear everyone in your household is fighting the dreaded COVID. Sending you all my very best wishes for a speedy (and uneventful) recovery!

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  33. Oh no, I hope you are both feeling better very quick. Poor kittehs. I hope they get better. I love the pictures this time. I've never seen one in person.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: Thank you. We don't see echidnas often enough either.

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  34. Oh EC, the first part of your post was so wonderfully exciting and uplifting, while the second part is very upsetting. I hope you and your husband recover fully and quickly, and your kittens too. I'm not sure what I can do from here but if you think of anything please let me know.

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  35. This may be a strange question but might you and he contract COVID from handling the kittens? Whatever the answer, I am sorry and wish you both a complete recovery.

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    1. e: I think that is unlikely - but we really don't know where we got the vile virus from.

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  36. You stop to escort echidnas across the street, my Sweetie and i stop for more mundane critters like turtles and ducks. Either way, we're all wildlife lovers.

    I do hope you and your husband and the kittens recover quickly.

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    1. messymimi: There is NOTHING mundane about your rescues. Any rescues. And thank you.

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  37. Oh the first thing I thought of was it looks very much like a porcupine. That was such a wonderful act of kindness ES! ♥ I'm sorry about the kitties and for you and your hubby! I do hope it's not too bad for you and that you recover quickly!

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    1. Rain: Nice to know that someone else suffers from dyslexic fingers.

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  39. I'm glad you were there to help the echidna. Cars and wildlife are not a good mix. I'm sorry to hear of all the illness at your house. It must be a big worry to have sick kitties and be unable to take them to the vet due to your own illness. Take care of yourselves, please. Big hugs and I hope you all feel better soon.

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    1. jenny_o: I am very glad I was there to help the echidna too. Days later I am still buzzing about it. And thank you. I hope we improve soon too.

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  40. How cute is this gorgeous photo xx

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    1. aussie aNNie: Flattery. I wish I had taken better photos but was and am thrilled to have seen the echidna.

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  41. Oh no. I hope everyone is feeling better.. cats included.

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  42. I thought its a porcupine ! Never seen an echidna before..

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    1. ashok: Even in their native country we don't see echidnas often.

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  43. The echidna looks like a hedgehog. Never seen one before.

    :o)

    Cheers

    PM

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    1. Plastic Mancunian: I would love to see a hedgehog, and we don't see echidnas nearly often enough.

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  44. Dearest EC, I am so sorry about the virus. I hope you all recover quickly. Maybe you don't have it or are asymptomatic. It was so nice of you to help that little fellow across the street. I had to Google him to find out he's a spiny anteater. He's cute.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Janie Junebug: Thank you. The echidna is cute isn't it? I was very pleased to see it and more than happy to escort it across the road.
      Sadly I do have covid. And am definitely not asymptomatic.

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  45. That must have been such an excitement to see the echidna in the street. Thank you for bringing it safely to the other side, you are such a wonderful human. I'm very sorry that you, your husband and the cats got COVID and I understand your worries. Sometimes it really is a mystery how we get this virus. I hope and wish that all of you will be feeling much better very soon.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Thank you. Of course I ensured the echidna's safety and am so glad that I saw it while there was a small break in the traffic. All of us are still struggling with the virus, but hopefully the end is in sight.

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  46. Echidna! How cool is that!
    Kudos to you for helping it out of the road.
    Gini and I will send you as many sunshine thoughts as possible.

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    1. Wally Jones: Very, very cool. I am still buzzing about it. And thank you and Gini for your sunshiny thoughts.

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  47. Oh my gosh, I'm sorry that the pets still have Covid. That sucks. Sending well wishes!!!!

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    1. The Happy Whisk: It is a plague house here at the moment. Thank you.

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  48. I am so sorry you all have COVID. I have had it twice and am afraid of having it again with my health issues. I hope you all get well quickly and completely. Love the little animal you rescued.

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    1. Glenda Beall: You have had it twice??? I am so sorry, and hope you can avoid the third.

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  49. I'm so sorry that you have covid. Thank heavens for the vaccine! Wishing you and family a speedy recovery, both feline and human members. Don't stress about commenting, rest well and feel better soon.

    I hadn't heard of the echidna, looks a bit like a hedgehog. Thank you for the link. And for broadening my horizons. So glad you could see it to safety.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you. I am so glad that I saw the echidna and could escort it across the road safely. I haven't seen it since (but then I haven't been out).

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  50. Ah those echidnas are so cute! I do hope your Covid case is mild as they say the most recent strains are. I think I had Covid recently. I didn’t test until I got back. I just thought it was a bad cold which my husband caught, probably from me , five days later. When he was able to test, positive. Me negative but it had been 2 weeks. We are both fine now and will stop isolating

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    1. Anonymous: Blessed blogger just tried to make my response to you also anonymous. I am glad you have recovered, and hope we all do too. Soon.

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  51. Very sweet that you saved the echidnas. I'm so sick of Covid but suspect it's here to stay now, like the flu. Hope everyone including your felines are back to tip top shape soon. xoxo

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    1. mail4rosey: Thank you. I suspect you are right and covid will be around for quite a while. Sigh.

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  52. Cute echidna. I hope the sun is shining for you, We have had rain and gray skies for several days now, All the best,

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    1. RasmaSandra: Thank you. Yes the sun is shining today.

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  53. Bonito detalle el de parar el tráfico para dar paso al equidna, que por cierto se parece mucho al puercoespín que conocemos por aquí.
    Y cuídate mucho con lo del Covid, aunque imagino que cada vez que te contagias será más benigno, de todas formas en España se está tratando debido al bajo índice de muertes como si tratase de una simple gripe.
    Yo toco madera porque de momento me estoy librando, no lo he cogido nunca a pesar de que hubo un momento en que todos en mi familia estaban contagiados.
    Saludos y que tengas un bonito y soleado día.

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    1. Manuel: I am so glad that I could escort the echidna to safety. It does look a little like a hedgehog or porcupine, but being an australian animal is unique.
      I haven't had covid before and hope to never get it again.

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  54. Kestrel here, thought they were porcupines and then read up that echidnas are native and unique to Aus. Isn't it amazing that your country have mammals that are unique - platypus too and echidnas are egg laying mammals. Sometimes, nature throws Science out of the window - My teacher says that mammals give birth to young, NOT lay EGGS. Stay well and pray the kittens are getting better.

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    1. kestrel: Australia has more than its fair share of peculiar animals. I was thrilled to see the echidna. The kittens are finally getting a little bit better. I hope I can follow suit.

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  55. I'm always curious how others with a disability manage: get around. I see you use public transit? And do you use a walker or cane? Asking from Canada.Ups and downs. Today is a down. At least 2 hours just to get dressed to go out. Then, teary and exhausted. Emma

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    1. Emma: Welcome. Do you have a blog where I can find you? What I use, and what I can do varies. I should use a cane more often than I do, and an exercise physiologist is suggesting a walker. Not yet. And sadly I soooo understand teary and exhausted. Which sucks. Outsucks Dyson in fact.

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    2. I'm weaning self off walker aftre 7 weeks in hospital where one must use it there, among other musts (catheter--so much easier if we collect pee in bags then having to get patient to bathroom and change bedsheets. (Angry and bitter). But as winter looms I may have to use walker outside for stability.

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    3. Emma: Hospitals fall into the necessary evil list for me. I am glad you are out again - and hope your weening goes well.

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  56. Back to the topic du jour: I thought it was a Porcupine. I wonder if they're related? Porcupine and Echidna? I'd have been excited too. Emma

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    1. Emma: They are not related. The echidna is yet another of my country's weird critters. I was definitely excited - but would be excited to see a porcupine (or a hedgehog) too.

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    2. No. No blog sorry beyond my headspace for tech things right now. Promised daughter I would really *listen* this time if she explained cell/app things just once more. If this is not the way I should converse here I'll just happily read. Emma

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    3. Emma: You are MORE than welcome to comment here. I asked about the blog so that if you had one I could 'follow you home'. I could not blog via phone but find it relatively easy (not helped by Blogger's shennagins) to do so on a PC.

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  57. Luckily, Ecidna met a good person. I hope Echidna is okay.

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  58. Aww, it is shoo cuuute. It looks like a small anteater from my neck of the woods (with needles added). How did you move it without getting hurt?

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    1. neena maiya (guyana gyal): I didn't touch it. I walked closely behind it (probably stressing it out) watching for traffic. When it/we got to the gutter it stopped for a bit and just as I was considering picking it up, it climbed the gutter itself and headed for cover. Which was lovely.

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  59. How exciting to see an echidna. In my childhood we would see them often enough. It was funny to see one bury itself in the ground. On a road trip about a decade ago, I had to brake hard to avoid running over one on the road. They do at times sadly become road kill.

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    1. Andrew: It was very exciting to see. When we lived in central west NSW we saw them quite often (and it is amazing how fast they dig) but I hadn't seen one in years, and never so close to home.

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  60. Oh lucky you, to see an echidna, Sue! I always enjoyed teaching my school kiddos about the echidna and the platypus. Monotremes are so unique. But how unlucky you were to catch Covid. Like you and your husband, I have no idea how I caught it. I definitely passed it onto Terry within 24-36 hours, even though we tried to isolate ourselves from each other. May it pass quickly! Take care!

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    1. Fundy Blue: I am still delighted that I saw it - and saw it before it became road kill. Australia does have some definitely unique animals and I delight in them whenever I am lucky enough to see them.

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  61. What a delightful little guy. How large will it grow to be?

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    1. Susan Kane: Echidnas can get to be 9 or ten pounds. They are not tiny critters by any means.

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