The platypus, native to eastern Australia, including Tasmania, is a unique semi-aquatic mammal. It possesses a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a flattened tail, all covered in dense, waterproof fur. Male platypuses are distinct for a venomous spur on their hind ankles, making them one of the few venomous mammals. Its specialized bill, equipped with electroreceptors, allows it to detect prey underwater.
Platypus Movement and Range
Platypuses do not migrate in the traditional sense, remaining within specific freshwater systems. Their movements are confined to a home range along a river or stream. An adult male’s home range can extend up to 18.8 kilometers, while a female’s may reach 6.0 kilometers. Daily foraging areas vary, covering around 0.4 hectares in smaller streams and between 3 to 58 hectares in larger lakes.
Individual platypuses may travel several kilometers within their home range during an activity period, with males recorded covering up to 10.4 kilometers. They utilize burrows dug into riverbanks for resting during the day and for breeding. While adults stay within their established territories, young platypuses, particularly males, undertake dispersal movements to find new habitats. This dispersal is a natural process that helps repopulate vacant home ranges and promotes genetic diversity within the species. Young males have been documented traveling significant distances, sometimes over 40 kilometers, during this period.
Why Platypus Stay Put
Platypuses remain localized because their specialized needs are met within their established aquatic habitats. They depend on clean, healthy freshwater environments with stable riverbanks for their burrows. Native vegetation along these banks offers shade and cover. These specific conditions ensure a consistent supply of their primary food source: benthic invertebrates like insect larvae, shrimps, and worms, which they forage for up to 10 to 12 hours daily.
Their unique adaptations allow them to thrive in these consistent environments. Their dense, waterproof fur provides insulation in cold water, while their electroreceptive bill enables them to locate prey underwater even with its eyes and ears closed. The ability to store fat in its tail helps sustain them during periods of reduced food availability, particularly for females during nesting. Their relatively low body temperature of around 32 degrees Celsius also aids in maintaining body heat. These factors mean platypuses are well-suited to their home territories.