Platypuses have thick brown fur, which traps an insulating layer of air next to their skin. Males grow to a length of about 60cm, females 50cm. Males have a venomous spur on the inside of their hind leg.

The soft bill of the Platypus resembles that of a duck, but is covered with soft, leathery skin containing sensitive nerves that can detect faint electrical fields generated by small aquatic animals that they prey on. This electroreception is unique among mammals.

Platypuses are most active early morning and late evening and spend most of the day in a burrow. The front paws are webbed and are used like paddles. When swimming, the eyes and ears are closed, and the sensitive bill sweeps from side to side searching for electrical impulses of their prey. Platypuses can stay underwater for several minutes and store food in their cheeks before coming to the surface to grind it up and swallow.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The Platypus makes a soft growling sound when disturbed
• Adult platypuses do not have teeth, having instead horny plates in their mouth to crush the food. Young platypuses have molar teeth, which they lose as they mature
• The Platypus is widespread in eastern Australia and common in Tasmania
• Platypuses don’t have teats, releasing milk through pores in the skin instead. They have grooves on their abdomens where the milk pools, allowing the young to lap it up 

• Litter from humans, such as plastic bags or fishing lines, can trap and kill platypuses

 OUR PLATYPUS

Fleay
18-year-old female, wild caught from Badger Creek. Fleay gets cranky in the morning when she first wakes up and often growls at her keepers. She loves tickling her bill into the waterfall.

Millson
Eight-year-old male, was accidentally dug up when he was eight weeks old, brought into the Sanctuary and hand-reared by us. Millsom is very friendly and loves to have a rub under his chin. He also loves biting his keepers on the fingers.

Waddirrang
Three-year-old female, was born at the Sanctuary as part of our captive breeding program. Waddirrang loves to dance in the water, doing loops, flips and somersaults.

Ember
Two-year-old female, was born at the Sanctuary just a few days after Black Saturday.  If there is trouble to get into, Ember will get into it. She is known for climbing up walls, breaking her toys and annoying her big sister Waddirrang.

Yamacoona
Five-months-old female,  recently arrived at the Sanctuary when she was found near Raymond Island. She was partly hand-reared. She loves to do belly flops into the water and eat bloodworms (platypus lollies).