Platypus..........

**jerryd** · 2nd April 2010, 10:47 PM

We have a creek that runs through our block which is constantly flowing, it's also home to a couple of platypus which we occasionally see playing around just as it gets dark

This makes it near impossible to get any pics as it's either too dark or the flash scares them off .

Since all of the heavy rainfall lately we haven't seen them, but this last week there has been a new arrival. It seems slightly smaller than the regular two so we are not sure if it could be an offspring. In part of the creek I put in a timber beam, buried in the bank each side, with rocks and gravel etc to raise the water level slghtly and give the sound of running water etc.

Now this newcomer has been playing in this area, but the last three nights has been burrowing around the beam and into the bank. Imagine my surprise this morning as the beam has been completely removed and is laying adjacent to the bank

Obviously the flow of water has helped, but is this normal behaviour of a platypus ?? Was it done just so he could continue his journey downstream ??

I find these creatures fascinating to watch, does anybody else get these on their property ??

**abaddonxi** · 2nd April 2010, 11:15 PM

Wow, lucky you. I've only ever seen a wild Platypus once.

**The ho har's** · 3rd April 2010, 12:06 PM

And to think we travelled all the way to Eungella Nat Pk near Mackay too see them and we coud have just come over and visited you

How cool.....Jerry you are very lucky to have them....

Mrs hh

**Sprint** · 3rd April 2010, 12:14 PM

havent seen one for about 18 years, last one i saw was in franklin in tasmania, family friend had one in thier dam that was semi tame and would happily swim around in broad daylight

**EchiDna** · 3rd April 2010, 01:48 PM

as a fellow monotreme, perhaps they are digging a nesting burrow into the bank and this what loosened your beam?? their burrows can be 10 or more metres long!

**Savanahkelpy** · 3rd April 2010, 09:45 PM

I, ve got them in my creek on my property on the Atherton Tablelands. The most i,ve seen at any one time has been 6 of them, (either),possibly several generations or breeding pairs. Its great to sit and quietly spot them, although they are somewhat difficult to photograph, as by the time you are pointing the camera at them, zoomed in, focused and ready to press the button, they,ve dived under the surface. I try to anticipate where they will be surfacing by observing the trail of bubbles and aim the camera in the general area.

**p38arover** · 3rd April 2010, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

Wow, lucky you. I've only ever seen a wild Platypus once.

Agreed!

I've not been much luckier.

**Landy Smurf** · 3rd April 2010, 10:00 PM

yes we have one in our part of the creek but they are around where my grandparents are also about 16kms upstream

**scarry** · 4th April 2010, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

Wow, lucky you.

X2

And i have never seen one in the wild ever,suppose i will have to look a bit harder..........

**Scouse** · 4th April 2010, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by Sprint

havent seen one for about 18 years, last one i saw was in franklin in tasmania, family friend had one in thier dam that was semi tame and would happily swim around in broad daylight

There's a great spot near Latrobe in Tassie for viewing these in the river.

I saw my first one in NSW a few weeks ago alongside the Coxs River near Lithgow.

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