Echidna CSI Mobile App

Send us a photo!

• Open the app, go to the ‘submit’ page and select ‘record an echidna sighting’. Your camera will pop up so you can take a photo. Once you have taken a photo select ‘use photo’.
• A new page will open where we ask you some questions about the echidna, e.g. if it was alive or dead, walking or digging, a juvenile or adult, and a section for you to add any interesting comments if you wish.
• Then you submit your recording! We will be sent the photo with the GPS location and the information about that echidna.

• As molecular biologists, the tissue from deceased echidnas is very useful for our research. If you happen to come across one that appears fresh, please contact us.
• If you can collect the echidna safely - be careful if on a road - it is best to place it in a fridge or cool place if possible, please do not freeze the echidna.
• If in South Australia we can then organise drop off/collection of the animal. If interstate please contact us for more details.

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• Echidna scats are quite distinguishable. Their long and thick shape, as well as their dry texture, make them unique from the small, pellet-like scats of other animals.
• You also should be able to spot lots of ants in echidna scats as this is what they eat. Take a look at the figures below that show you what an echidna scat looks like and how they compare to other native animals.
• If you want a handy scat identification guide for on-the-go use, we've created a guide for you to use.

Echidna scat guide

• Open the app, go to the ‘submit’ page and select ‘collect specimen’.
• Your camera will pop up so you can take a photo of the scat first. We need this photo so we can get its GPS location to match the sample.
• A new page will appear asking you to get an envelope or bag and to write the date, time and your name on it. This is so we can identify which submission it belongs to once we receive it.
• The next page will instruct you to place the scat in the envelope/bag, trying not to touch it. We then give you information on how to send us your collection.
• If you are unable to submit the echidna scat through the EchidnaCSI app or Biocollect page, please print and send the paper submission form linked below with your scat.

Scat collection form

If you are still having problems after reading this FAQ, please send us an email at echidnacsi@adelaide.edu.au 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, and browse our map of data.

• I see echidnas but my internet connection 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 to see a map all of the sightings sent to EchidnaCSI. Zoom in on the location of your sighting to check if yours is there.

• 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.

• I need help identifying a scat/I want to know what echidna scats look like.
  Please check out our handy scat identification guide.
   
• How do I send a scat to you?
  Place the scat in a ziplock bag, making sure to write your name and date on the 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 SA 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.

Echidna CSI Terms and conditions