For the spiny anteaters, love is very much a group thing.

The normally solitary mammals were spotted recently on a private nature conservation reserve near Ross, by Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment conservation officer Stuart King, which proves the mating season is in full swing.

Echidnas breed throughout the cooler months and start the process of seeking each other out, in this case, five males were hotly in pursuit of a female.

``A female may lead up to 10 males, following her for up to six weeks,'' Mr King said.

``The males may change from day to day, leaving one train to join another or going on a solo.''

Female echidnas lay one egg three weeks after male interaction

The puggle takes an average 10 days to hatch.

Mr King said Tasmanian echidnas were reliant on large tracts of woodland habitat to survive and breed, and often such areas were privately owned.