Platypus
A Platypus blends in with its aquatic surroundings when resting on the surface of the water.
The Platypus’s webbed feet and sensitive bill make it well-adapted to persuing prey underwater
Scientific Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Size: Total Length 390-6o0 mm (males generally larger than females)
What does it look like?
The Platypus is unmistakable. Dense dark greyish to brown fur above, with flat paddle-shaped tail and broad, greyish-brown ‘duck-like’ bill that extends over the forehead and chin. Underparts paler greyish or reddish-brown. Front feet fully webbed, with web extending past claws, and rear feet partially webbed. Males have a poisonous spur on ankle of each hind leg.
Where is it found?
The species occurs in eastern and south-eastern Australia, from south-eastern Cape York Peninsula Qld, through eastern NSW and southern Vic to Tas. Introduced to King Islands in Bass Strait and Kangaroo Island SA.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Platypus inhabits regularly flowing river systems and associated billabongs, where it hunts along the bottom of the waterway for a variety of large aquatic invertebrates. The nesting chamber is located at the end of a long burrow with the entrance just above the water level, and up to 3 (usually 2) soft-shelled eggs are incubated for around 12 days before they hatch, after which the young are fed with milk for around 4 months.
Interesting facts
The bill has electrosensors and mechanoreceptors to detect electrical pulses and movement of prey.
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Australia
