Platypus can live in man-made lakes, dams and irrigation channels, but they are more commonly found in natural lakes, creeks, rivers, backwaters and billabongs. They can be found anywhere from sea-level to alpine environments, but are uncommon in salty bays or estuaries.
They are found in the major permanent river systems in the south of NSW, west of the Great Dividing Range, and occasionally in South Australia. Out of the water, platypuses spend most of their time in burrows which have been dug into the river bank, with their entrances usually above water level.
There's really only one place in South Australia to see a platypus in the wild, and that's on Kangaroo Island (KI). This unique species was one of many introduced to KI in the 1920s when the island was identified as a refuge for threatened wildlife.
Platypus are found in eastern Australia from the steamy tropics of far north Queensland to the freezing snows of Tasmania. In Queensland, platypus live in rivers east of the Great Dividing Range, and are also found in some western-flowing streams.
The platypus is a remarkable mammal found only in Australia.
The platypus is a duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed, egg-laying aquatic creature native to Australia. If its appearance alone somehow fails to impress, the male of the species is also one of the world's few venomous mammals!
Aboriginal people had many different regional names for the platypus, including “boondaburra”, “mallingong” and “tambreet”. According to Aboriginal legend, the platypus originated when a young female duck mated with a lonely and persuasive water-rat.
Fur trade. Platypuses were hunted for food by Aboriginal people by digging them from their burrows or spearing them while swimming (Robinson & Plomley 2008). The platypus' tail is rich in fats may have been particularly important in cold conditions.
Discover where you can find these amazing mammals. Although there have been some supposed sightings of platypuses in the Onkaparinga River and the River Torrens, there's really only one place in South Australia where you can be certain that what you are seeing is actually a platypus, and that's on Kangaroo Island.
Adult males in particular are potentially dangerous animals to handle because of the venom delivered by their spurs. Sensibly, platypus cannot be legally kept as pets in Australia, nor are there currently any legal options for exporting them overseas.
Platypuses do not attack humans. They are shy animals and will avoid confrontation with humans if they can help it. They aren't equipped with teeth that can help them bite, and the only form of defense they have is the pointed spurs in their heels.
Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary is a national treasure. It's the way Australia ought to be. Conveniently located in the Adelaide Hills, Warrawong is home to an abundance of Australian wildlife, including koalas, platypus, kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots…
Historic distribution
In New South Wales, platypuses are more common on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range but do extend into western-flowing rivers and waterways of the Murray-Darling Basin (Grant & Fanning 2007).
Platypus are also very rarely seen on land, though they may occasionally rest on a log or rock, usually while grooming. In contrast, water-rats are much more likely to be seen on land, either consuming their prey or running along the bank (as shown above).
Platypuses can be spotted in a number of rivers and creeks around Dandenong, Werribee, Maribyrnong, Westernport and the Yarra River and tributaries.
So far, platypuses have been detected in the Blue Mountains, Wollemi, Kanangra-Boyd, Nattai, Mount Royal, Turon, Marrangaroo and Bangadilly national parks and Upper Nepean State Conservation Area.
Part of the reason is platypuses are shy, nocturnal creatures that are difficult to find and count, so not seeing them doesn't stand out as strange. But mostly, declines seem to have missed because the animals were considered common enough that no one kept tabs on them.
The oldest male platypus ever found in the wild in Australia has been discovered in a Melbourne waterway. The 21-year-old was found during a survey of waterways in Belgrave last year with two young males, indicating reproductive success, Melbourne Water said on Wednesday.
Platypus are monotremes - a tiny group of mammals able to both lay eggs and produce milk.
Male platypuses have spurs on the rear ankles, connected to a venom gland located over its thighs. If the spur pierces the skin, it can release enough venom to kill a medium-sized dog. (It is not fatal to humans, but is excruciating, and causes swelling.)
Koala. This iconic animal is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Australia. This marsupial keeps her baby in her pouch for six months after birth (a joey is the size of a jellybean when it is born!).
Quokkas are now only found in the south-west region of Western Australia, most notably off the coast Perth on Rottnest Island. For more information or to book your tickets to visit our family of Quokkas, please visit www.adelaidezoo.com.au.
There are many octopus species that can be found in South Australia's marine parks. A popular one is the Maori, which as its name suggests, is found in the waters around New Zealand as well as southern Australia.
To make direct eye contact can be viewed as being rude, disrespectful or even aggressive.To convey polite respect, the appropriate approach would be to avert or lower your eyes in conversation.
The word Koala derives from an Aboriginal word meaning 'no drink' . Because Koalas so seldom venture down onto the ground, it was thought that they have no need to drink water. While they do get most of their water requirement from leaves, we always keep fresh water in our Koala enclosures.
Answer and Explanation: A group of platypuses is a called a paddle. The name comes from their paddle-shaped tails.