​About the project
Our aims
  • Despite their status as iconic Australian animals, very little is known about echidnas. We want to change that! With your help, we aim to learn about the distribution of echidnas across the country, the diet and gut health of echidnas, their changing hormones throughout breeding season, and so much more.
How can I follow along?
  • Give our Facebook page a like, or follow us on Instagram or Twitter. We also send out newsletters to our users, so check the inbox of whichever email account you used to subscribe. If you would like more info about the project, check out our website.
 
Why do you need poo for your research?
  • Echidna scat is really valuable to our research because it contains lots of interesting molecules such as DNA from the echidna, DNA from plants in its environment, DNA from the insects it eats, and hormones indicating stress or pregnancy.
 
​Problems with the app
Firstly, make sure the app is updated to the newest version. If you are still having problems after reading this FAQ, please send us an email at [email protected] with your problem, phone model and operating system.
 
The registration page pops up every time I open the app.
  • Make sure you have filled out all of the fields, including your postcode.
 
There is no “submit” button on the registration page.
  • Make sure that all the fields have been filled out, then re-type your email address. A “submit” button should appear at the top of the screen.
 
I can’t see anyone else’s sightings on the map.
  • Our app only has the capacity to display your own sightings. If you would like to see all of the sightings we have received so far, you can head to our BioCollect page, click on “data” and then click on “map”.
 
Internet connectivity
I see echidnas but my Internet connectivity is patchy.
  • If you see an echidna and you have no reception, you can still make the submission and the app will store it in its system. If you check the map tab on the app, you should be able to see any submissions you have made (even ones which have not yet gone through). They should go through automatically when you have an Internet connection. If you would like to manually ensure that they have gone through, go to the projects tab, click "about this app", then press the arrow pointing upwards in the bottom right-hand corner. This will force-upload any previous submissions.
 
I made a submission but I’m not sure if it went through.
  • Head to our BioCollect page, click on “data” and then click on “map” to see all of the sightings sent to EchidnaCSI. Zoom in on the location of your sighting to check if yours is there.
 
​Photo submission
I am trying to submit a photo from my library, but the app won’t let me.
  • The app prevents the submission of past sightings that don’t have embedded location information. We do this to ensure that we receive only high quality, verifiable data. If you would still like to submit your photo to us, you can do so through our BioCollect page.
 
Can I submit photos of diggings/other evidence of echidnas?
  • We are interested in this data, but ask that you do not submit it to us through our app as it will be lumped in with photos of echidnas. Instead, we ask that you submit these sightings to us through our BioCollect page only. Please select the “other evidence of echidnas” survey while submitting.
 
What if I saw an echidna but didn’t manage to take a photo?
  • We understand that getting a photos of echidnas isn’t always easy. As such, we have set up a portal for these kinds of sightings. Head to our BioCollect page and submit your sighting through our “Other evidence of echidnas” survey.
 
Scat submission 
I need help identifying a scat/I want to know what echidna scats look like.
How do I send a scat to you?
  • Place the scat in a ziplock bag, put the ziplock bag in an envelope, then mail it to us at:
Room 2.14 Molecular Life Sciences Building
University of Adelaide
Adelaide 5005
​
 I have sent you a scat, but I forgot to submit it through the app.
  • Please submit your sighting through our BioCollect page. If you have a photo of the scat, you can upload it; if not, please write on a piece of paper that you sent the scats before you could take a photo, then take a photo of the piece of paper and upload that.
​If you have any questions or just want to get in touch, feel free to email us at [email protected] or send a private message to our EchidnaCSI Facebook page.