As one of the world’s rarest mammals, the iconic echidna has developed surprising ways to adapt to a warming climate.

In this episode, David Karsten was joined by Dr Christine Cooper from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences to discuss the unique traits of echidnas and what the future holds.

What is a monotreme? 01:30

Dr Cooper explains how echidnas use vocalisations to mate [8:05]

The differences between echidnas across the country [14:09]

How echidnas survive in extreme heat [22:03]

Learn more

Curtin study suggests rare echidna noises could be the ‘language of love’

Study finds blowing bubbles among echidna’s tricks to beat the heat

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Dr Christine Cooper, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University

Christine Cooper is an expert in vertebrate ecophysiology. She completed her PhD in zoology at UWA, focusing on numbat physiology and behaviour. Since becoming a lecturer at Curtin in 2005, Christine splits her time between teaching, supervising research projects, and studying Australian birds and mammals. She has established extensive collaborative networks nationally and internationally, and maintains strong links with wildlife and conservation organisations.

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Transcript

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Behind the scenes

Host: David Karsten

Content creator: Anne Griffin-Appadoo

Producer and Recordist: Emilia Jolakoska

Social Media: Amy Hosking 

Executive Producers: Anita Shore

First Nations Acknowledgement

Curtin University acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which Curtin Perth is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation, and on Curtin Kalgoorlie, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields; and the First Nations peoples on all Curtin locations.

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Curtin University supports academic freedom of speech. The views expressed in The Future Of podcast may not reflect those of Curtin University.