![]() ![]() La Trobe University, Melbourne.īattaglia A., and Fry G. Molecular ecology of the platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus). This study provides new and important information about breeding behaviour in this species and will contribute to future breeding success of platypus in captivity.Īkiyama S. Juveniles emerged 133 ± 4 days after retirement. A suckling period of 114–127 days followed, with the frequency of maternal burrow visits and length of stay decreasing as the juveniles grew. The gestation period was estimated at 15–21 days and incubation at less than 12 days. After mating she immediately commenced burrow preparation, ending with a 3–5-day intense period of collecting wet nesting material before retiring to the burrow to lay. The female platypus had a receptive period of 4–6 days in the spring of each year, during which her behaviour changed from avoidance to initiating contact with the male. Results have revealed a consistency of behavioural patterns, which accurately predicted breeding events, mating, burrow construction, subsequent denning period and emergence of young. This study, using closed circuit video monitoring, took place between 20 at Taronga Zoo and covered three breeding successes with one female in 2002/03, 2004//06. After 3-4 months, towards the end of the summer, the young emerge from the burrow as young independent animals.Breeding platypuses ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in captivity had proved difficult until the last 10 years but with improvements in husbandry and a greater understanding of platypus biology there have been seven successes at two institutions since 1998. The female spends most of this time with her young in the burrow, and as the young grow she increasingly leaves them to forage. Gestation lasts 21 days and during this egg incubation period, a female holds 1-3 eggs pressed by her tail to her belly, while curled up.Ĭare for young: When the young hatch, the female starts secreting milk and the young Platypuses suckle from the two milk patches covered by fur on the female’s abdomen. She spends a further 4-5 days collecting wet nesting material to prevent her eggs and hatchlings from drying out. Gestation: After mating, a pregnant female builds a nest in a long complex burrow in less than a week. Mating: Platypus reach sexual maturity around 2 years of age. ![]() ![]() They store their food in their cheek-pouches then chew the food using horny, grinding plates, while they float to rest on the water surface. They forage most of their food from the bottom of the river however they occasionally catch cicadas and moths from the water surface. Size: Males 50cm in length and females 43 cm in length.ĭiet: Platypus are carnivores and feed on aquatic invertebrates such as insect larvae, shrimps, swimming beetles, water bugs, tadpoles, worms, freshwater pea mussels and snails. Life Span: Average life span is between 4-8 years, although they have lived as long as 17years in zoos. ![]() Habitat: Platypus are semi aquatic mammals living in fresh water streams, lakes and river systems and creating burrows for shelter and protection. They are also occasionally found in South Australia.
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