Edited for the Inner Animal challenge journal Inner Animal Challenge

I know you all think I’m a cow but I’m really an Echidna. I too am short and round, yet I’m unique and beautiful in my own way. I’m a friendly quiet critter who loves to be with family and friends, but do tend to hang out on my own alot. I share everything I have, even if its my only meal. I am not afraid to get close but if you rub me the wrong way, don’t complain when you get stung.
All winnings should go to the RSPCA of SA because they do so much for our animal friends.

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Echidna had to share his tucker with one of his neighbours, much to his disapproval!! He didn’t want to share and flashed his spines and covered his food to say so. But Magpie came over just as soon as the human carer left a dish of food and wasn’t at all fussed by the spines or the fact that most of the dish got covered as soon as he had one go at trying to duck in to nick something.
I took heaps of photos, all showing the maggie either getting nudged away or the echidna shuffling around in circles over his dish (and eating at the same time… maybe its a girl cos of the great multitasking!!). Eventually, the maggie got a bit. I reckon the echidna must have been getting full… and we’re all a bit slower when we’re full up!! The maggie did a bit of a happy dance before flying off to the nest!!

I reckon they were both friends… just having a game at lunchtime!

Taken at Urimburra, Victor Harbor, South Australia… home of happy native animals, mostly rescued and definitely much loved.