The Taronga Zoo in Sydney has welcomed its first baby echidnas or puggles as they are better known, in almost 30 years.
These cute, squeaky little animals hatched from their eggs in August but keepers wanted to see them grow before going public, reported the BBC.
“Echidnas are notoriously difficult to breed in human care, but keepers are pleased with the progress of the tiny trio,” the zoo said. Echidnas are one of only two Australian mammals that lay eggs.
The puggles hatched between August 16 and 30 and have recently opened their eyes and started to develop spikes.
They each have a different mother, with the youngest being born to Pitpa, the last echidna born at Taronga in 1987.
They have yet to be named by the keepers but are not expected to leave their burrows until early next year. Until then they will be mostly sleeping.
The zoo has built special nursery burrows to house the arrivals as part of its new echidna-breeding facility.
“All three mothers are doing an amazing job and tending to their puggles as needed,” said zoo keeper Suzie Lemon to the BBC.
“A great deal of mystery still surrounds this spiny species. Echidnas are quite elusive in the wild, so it’s hard to study their natural breeding behaviours.”
Take a look at this video and gawk at the cuteness –
