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Giant Echidna Fossil Found in Victoria
14 Apr
Summary
- Giant echidna fossils were discovered in Victoria after over a century.
- The Owen's giant echidna was twice the size of modern echidnas.
- A skull fragment found in storage confirmed the prehistoric presence.
A significant prehistoric discovery has been made in Victoria, revealing that giant echidnas once inhabited the region. A fossil fragment, overlooked in museum storage for over a century, has been identified as belonging to the Owen's giant echidna (Megalibgwilia owenii).
This extinct monotreme, which lived during the Pleistocene epoch, reached approximately one meter in length and weighed up to 15kg, making it twice the size of modern echidnas. Previously, fossils of this species had been found across Australia but were notably absent from Victoria's fossil record until now.
The breakthrough came when Tim Ziegler, collection manager at the Museums Victoria Research Institute, identified a skull fragment excavated in 1907 from Foul Air Cave in East Gippsland. Initial examination revealed unique features suggesting it was an unusually large echidna beak.
Further analysis, including 3D scans of other echidna specimens, confirmed the discovery. The robust skeleton of the Owen's giant echidna indicates it possessed considerable strength, likely used for digging for prey such as larvae, beetles, or bogong moths, or for tearing tree bark.
This identification of the Buchan specimen fills a crucial 1,000km gap in the known distribution of the Owen's giant echidna, which has been found in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The finding suggests these ancient giants were present in Victoria all along.
