Echidnas

Last night I saw on the  road a dead echidna but there is something about them I really like so I hauled the car around and collected him. I did not want to see him mashed into the bitumen and I thought Kirk could have a close look as they are shy and nocturnal. Why do I like echidnas so much? They're very tough and strong for their size. They mind their own business yet have a very determined personality. Keeping an echidna is very difficult - I knew a wild life carer who discovered her fridge had been shifted across the floor by an escapee. And of course there is always Dad's story about a night out shooting when they discovered 2 echidnas having sex. He tells me the echidna penis is very long and is used with great caution (see NewScientist article). A pity the National Geographic video has been removed - I'm sure it would be very educational. Note also my grandfather, Gordon Cartwright, and the the local people regard gubbi gubbi as a delicacy - I am told it is fatty and a little like pork. Mmm...tempting. Nevertheless, this afternoon Sean buried him with Sammy so he will make great fertiliser for the coffee trees and bird of paradise.