Two rare albino echidnas have been spotted in New South Wales, Australia within two weeks. Echidnas are one of two known mammals in the world whose females lay eggs and produce milk for their babies, which are called puggles. The first albino echidna, Raffie, was found by Geoff Hadley on a road in the Bathurst region. The second, nicknamed Mr Spike, had been hit by a car and sustained minor injuries. Albinism is a genetic condition that interferes with the production of melanin, resulting in animals appearing partially or completely white. Short-beaked echidnas are common throughout temperate Australia and lowland New Guinea.
Residents of New South Wales, Australia have recently spotted two extremely rare albino echidnas in just two weeks. These all-white, quill-covered creatures are a rare sight in Australia, with only a handful of them ever sighted. The first sighting was made by Geoff Hadley in the Bathurst region of New South Wales. He found one of the echidnas on a road and helped it cross safely before reporting the sighting to local council officials. The animal was later revealed in a social media post on May 1, where Bathurst Regional Council staff wrote, “Meet Raffie, Bathurst’s rare albino echidna.”
Echidnas are one of two known mammals in the world whose females lay eggs and produce milk for their babies, which are called puggles. Along with platypuses, they are the only egg-laying mammals, or monotremes, in the world. Short-beaked echidnas are common throughout temperate Australia and lowland New Guinea, while long-beaked echidnas only live in the highlands of New Guinea.
The second albino short-nosed echidna was spotted eleven days later by Australia’s Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES). The echidna appeared to have been hit by a car and sustained minor injuries in New South Wales. WIRES published images and a video of the echidna, nicknamed Mr. Spike, on May 12. “Luckily he sustained only a few minor grazes and was given the all-clear after a couple of days in care with local WIRES volunteers who then released him back into the bushland near where he was found,” WIRES staff wrote in a Facebook post.
Albinism is a genetic condition that interferes with the body’s production of melanin, the main pigment that colors animals’ skin, fur, feathers, scales, and eyes. Melanin is produced in cells called melanocytes; these cells are present but not fully functional in animals with albinism, making them appear partially or completely white.
The albino echidnas have attracted attention and admiration from people all over the world. With their unique characteristics and rarity, they are a testament to the incredible diversity of life on Earth. As we continue to explore and study the natural world, we may discover even more amazing creatures that have yet to be seen.