Echidna Handling

Dr. Luke Gregory demonstrates the proper methods of housing and handling echidnas for medical examination.
When transporting an echidna, it is best to use a sturdy storage container with at least four snap locks, as echidnas have a tendency to try to escape by wedging themselves between the lid and the box.
The box should be kept on the floor, as echidnas may move the box back and forth and could fall from a high surface.
Make sure that the box has holes for ventilation and towels inside for bedding.
When picking up an echidna, keep your hands flat and slide them underneath the abdomen between the front and back legs, avoiding the spines.
When anaesthetising an echidna, it is most easily done with two people. One person should hold them upright with the legs abducted, while the other threads the mask onto the beak.
Be aware that this can be very stressful for echidnas and they may urinate or defecate, which can be very projectile in this position.
An anesthetic mask can be made for an echidna’s beak from a 60ml syringe.
When taking an X-ray of an echidna, there are four main views that are important to take:
-Full body dorsal-ventral view
-Full body lateral view
-Focused view of skull and beak (dorsal-ventral)
-Focused view of skull and beak (lateral)
For full body lateral X-rays, a foam wedge can be used to keep the legs separated and the body aligned.
For lateral X-rays of the skull and beak, a cotton tip can be used to keep the beak separated and easier to examine on the image.