Sir David's long-beaked echidna

The Attenborough Long - beaked Echidna ( Zaglossus attenboroughi ), also known as Sir David Long -beaked Echidna or Cyclops Long -beaked Echidna, is one of three species of the genus Zaglossus that are endemic to the island of New Guinea. This species is named in honor of David Attenborough. This species lives in the Zyklopenbergen in West Papua ( Irian Jaya ) in the vicinity of the towns Sentani and Jayapura.

Features

This species is known only from a single specimen, which was found during the Dutch colonial time in 1961. Apart from this specimen was found since no further.

The Attenborough long- beaked echidna is the smallest species of the genus long -beaked echidna, and is similar in magnitude rather than the short -beaked echidna other species of its genus. This species has five claws on the front and hind paws and a thick black fur.

Little is known about its behavior. It is believed that the day he withdraws into its flat construction and with its long beak into the ground looking for worms in the night.

Rediscovery

The ongoing human -induced destruction of habitat - the forests of Zyklopenberge - meant that the population of endangered or was even held eradicated. However, it is possible that this species still exist there or in neighboring mountains. On July 15, 2007 Researchers at the EDGE program, which investigated the Zyklopenberge of Papua that caves and traces were seen, which may belong to Attenborough - long echidnas reported. In addition, communication with locals revealed that this species was probably spotted later in 2005.

Threat

The Attenborough long- beaked echidna is listed by the IUCN as endangered ( endangered ).