Zaglossus attenboroughi
Found only in the Cyclops Mountains of Indonesian Papua, the Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna is a rare inhabitant of the high-altitude forest. It is the smallest of its genus, weighing approximately 2 to 3 kilograms. This nocturnal creature is covered in fine, dense fur and has five claws on every foot. When it senses danger, the animal mimics a hedgehog by rolling into a prickly ball. While males are generally larger and possess spurs on their back legs, both sexes are solitary by nature.
Travellers are unlikely to see these creatures together except during July, when they meet to breed. After about eight days, the female produces eggs, and the young remain in her pouch for roughly eight weeks until they grow spines. This species uses a distinct feeding method that leaves holes in the ground known as nose pokes. It uses its long beak to hunt for earthworms, which make up the bulk of its diet, rather than the ants or termites preferred by other echidnas.
Locating one is a challenge, as scientists went over 60 years without a confirmed sighting until trail cameras captured footage in 2023. The population faces constant pressure from the loss of its mountain habitat and human activity. Local traditions also involve hunting the echidnas to use as peace offerings for rivals. Efforts are now underway to educate communities and protect the remaining individuals from these threats.
Written from the English Wikipedia article Zaglossus attenboroughi (CC BY-SA 4.0).
These are open occurrence records, so they show where people looked for and recorded the Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna as much as where it lives. Cells are up to 25 km across, and every location is generalised to its cell.
Where and when you can expect to see Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna is calculated from observation density. No zones have been computed for this species yet.