Short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus
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Short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus
Short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from The Naturalists Pocket Magazine, Harrison, London, 1800
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14212352
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Fredericknodder Georgeshaw Naturalistspocketmagazine Short
EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisitely hand-colored copperplate engraving showcases the Short-beaked Echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus, a fascinating and intriguing creature native to Australia. The image, published in The Naturalist's Pocket Magazine in Harrison, London, around the year 1800, is a testament to the remarkable zoological discoveries of the time. The Short-beaked Echidna, also known as the aculeated anteater or myrmecophagous echidna, is a monotreme, meaning it is one of only a few mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. This enigmatic creature is characterized by its short, beaked snout, spiny back, and quills covering its body. The echidna's long, sticky tongue is used to capture its primary food source, ants and termites, which it locates by sensing the ants' vibrations using its sensitive snout. The intricate details of the Short-beaked Echidna's anatomy are beautifully captured in this historical illustration. The artist, likely working under the direction of a naturalist or scientist, meticulously rendered the echidna's features, from its sharp quills to its delicate, webbed feet. The hand-coloring further enhances the image, adding depth and vibrancy to the echidna's fur and the surrounding foliage. This engraving is a valuable historical artifact, providing a glimpse into the early days of zoological exploration and the fascination with the natural world that drove scientists and artists to document and share their discoveries. Today, the Short-beaked Echidna remains an important part of the Australian ecosystem and continues to captivate the imagination of people around the world.
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