Hints on how to spot a Platypus
WHEN
IS THE BEST TIME TO LOOK FOR A PLATYPUS?
Platypus are active mainly at night. However, they can sometimes
be seen during the day, especially when the sky is overcast. Females
with young are especially likely to be visible in summer, when
they feed up to 17 hours a day to meet the increased energetic
demands of lactation. Adult males may be most visible in late
winter and early spring, when they spend increased time on the
water surface watching for rivals in the months leading up to
breeding.
In
general, the best time to look for wild platypus is either the
hour before sunset or the hour just after dawn. Ideally, choose
a day when there is little or no wind to disturb the water surface.
WHERE
IS THE BEST PLACE TO LOOK FOR A PLATYPUS?
Platypus are most easily observed in still pools or relatively
slow-flowing sections of river, where their distinctive ripple
patterns (see below) are readily spotted. They can be active in
almost any part of a waterway, but are much harder to identify
if the water surface is fast-flowing or disturbed.
Sit
quietly, a bit back from the edge of the water and in a place
that commands a reasonable view up and downstream. To minimise
glare on the water surface, sit with the sun behind you. Use a
pair of binoculars or spotting scope to confirm your sighting
if possible, since platypus are small animals and can be confused
with other species (see below).
In
order not to startle the animals, remain reasonably still and
consider masking your outline by sitting in front of or next to
a tree or large shrub. Platypus are soon alarmed by loud/sharp
noises or sudden movements but will not be bothered by a quiet,
unobtrusive observer.
For
general information about where platypus occur, see the section
Where to Look for a Platypus on Australian
Platypus Conservancy's web site.
WHAT DO I LOOK FOR?
Platypus are surprisingly small, typically measuring 40-60 centimetres
in total length (bill tip to tail tip).
Both
adults and juveniles are uniformly dark chocolate brown above,
apart from a small whitish spot located in front of each eye (visible
only at close range). However, depending on the angle of light,
platypus fur sometimes appears to have a silvery shine (or even
golden, in bright sunlight).
Platypus
sometimes swim at the surface in one direction for relatively
long distances (up to several hundred metres), broken only by
short, shallow dives. This behaviour typically creates a long,
narrow wake behind the animal, often seen as a distinctive silvery
streak in calm water.
However,
a platypus will more typically be seen diving and surfacing in
a leisurely manner as it feeds. A diving sequence usually begins
with a platypus arching its back briefly as it launches itself
downwards. There is little or no associated sound unless the platypus
has been startled, which is immediately followed by an audible
splash as the animal dives with extra force. A platypus generally
remains underwater for 10-60 seconds (with dives tending to take
longer in relatively deeper water) and returns to the surface
within 20 metres of where it was last seen. The platypus then
floats on the surface, usually for a period of about 10-30 seconds,
while chewing its meal of aquatic insects and worms. At the same
time, the animal may scan its surroundings for possible danger
or groom its fur (scratching or combing with a hind foot). If
faced with an apparent threat, a platypus may respond by hiding
underwater for 10 minutes or more, or retiring to a protected
location under an overhanging shrub until the threat has passed.
Platypus
float very low in the water, with two rounded bumps marking the
top of their head and rump. As they float, they normally tread
water with their front feet, creating a concentric bulls-eye pattern
of ripples. The ripples strengthen and become more conspicuous
as an animal dives, and then gradually fade away. The initial
path of a platypus underwater is sometimes marked by a stream
of small bubbles rising to the surface, as air is squeezed from
the fur.
WHAT OTHER
ANIMALS CAN BE CONFUSED WITH A PLATYPUS?
Water-rats
The Australian water-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) is the
animal that is most likely to be mistaken for a platypus, especially
as the two species co-exist in many waterways. At a distance of
more than 20 metres, even an experienced observer can find it
virtually impossible to tell the two species apart in the water,
particularly in dim light or overcast conditions.
Like
a platypus, water-rat fur is usually brown (though sometimes grey).
The two species also overlap in size, with adult male water-rats
weighing about the same as a small to medium-sized platypus. However,
water-rats are much more likely to be seen out of the water, sitting
on a rock or log or running along the bank. In contrast, platypus
are very rarely seen on land for any length of time.
The
best way to distinguish the two species in the water is by examining
the tail: the water-rat has a long, narrow tail with a conspicuous
white tip, while the platypus has a flat, uniformly dark, paddle-like
tail. Water-rats also swim with a slightly more sinuous movement
than the platypus. They also create no distinct bow wave and leave
a wide trailing wake, presumably because they mainly paddle using
their hind feet, whereas the platypus only uses its front legs
for propulsion.
Waterbirds
It is possible to confuse the platypus with a variety of waterbirds
~ including ducks, grebes, cormorants and darters. This is especially
true of musk ducks (Biziura lobata): large, dark birds
which are often seen swimming alone, produce a platypus-like pattern
of ripples when they dive, and can stay submerged for the same
length of time as a feeding platypus. Particularly in autumn,
a male musk duck will sometimes swim with his head dipped forward
near the surface of the water, producing a very platypus-like
outline.
To
distinguish waterbirds from platypus, keep in mind that the platypus
maintains a very low profile in the water, with only the rounded
top of its head and back located much above the surface. Accordingly,
the silhouette of a platypus is much less bulky than that of even
relatively small waterbirds such as grebes and coots. If part
or all of the profile of a swimming animal projects well above
the waterline, it is unlikely to be that of a platypus.
Lizards,
turtles and fish
Eastern water dragons (Physignathus lesueurii), freshwater
tortoises, and some of the larger fish species (including carp,
eels and freshwater catfish) can sometimes be mistaken for a platypus,
particularly if glimpsed for only a few seconds in poor light
or at long range. However, differences in the appearance and behaviour
of these animals and the platypus usually become obvious upon
more careful observation.
For
further information on this fascinating creature, log on to the
web site of the
Australian
Platypus Conservancy
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