The Enigmatic Platypus: A Macedon Ranges Icon

Prepare to be captivated by one of the world’s most unique creatures, the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), a semi-aquatic mammal that calls the waterways of the Macedon Ranges home ². With its duck-like bill, otter-like body, and beaver-like tail, the platypus is a true evolutionary marvel and an iconic symbol of Australian wildlife ²⁶.

The platypus is smaller than many people imagine, with males reaching about 50cm in length and weighing around 1.5kg, while females are smaller, averaging about 40cm long and weighing 1kg ²⁶. Its most distinctive feature is undoubtedly its bill, a very sensitive, soft, and rubbery appendage used to locate food in the water ²⁶. The platypus’s body is covered in thick, dark brown fur that is flat and streamlined, perfectly adapted for its aquatic life ²⁶. It has a broad, flat tail that acts as a stabilizer when swimming and is also used for burrowing and storing fat reserves ²⁶. Its short, stout legs end in webbed front feet, ideal for swimming, while the back feet are used for steering and braking in the water ²⁶. Interestingly, the male platypus has a sharp spur on each ankle connected to a venom gland, which is most active during the breeding season and likely used in territorial disputes ²⁶. When on land, the platypus can be quite awkward, waddling with the webs of its front feet turned back to use its claws for digging ²⁶. This combination of features clearly demonstrates the platypus’s adaptation to both aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Platypuses are present in dozens of creeks and rivers throughout Greater Melbourne, including within the Macedon Ranges municipality ²⁸. They inhabit freshwater environments, including rivers, creeks, and lakes with vegetated banks that provide suitable habitat for burrowing ²⁶. The Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges region, with its diverse habitats including riparian forests and sedgy riparian woodlands, likely provides suitable habitat for platypuses ²⁹. Platypuses are generally shy and predominantly nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), making them difficult to spot ²⁶. They construct burrows in the banks of waterways for shelter and breeding ²⁶.

The platypus has a diet consisting of small water animals such as insect larvae, freshwater shrimps (yabbies), small fish, and worms ²⁶. They find their food amongst the rocks, leaf litter, and other material on the bottom of the water body using their sensitive bill, which can detect electrical currents produced by their prey ²⁶. Lacking teeth, they store the collected food in cheek pouches and chew it at the surface using horny grinding plates in their jaws before swallowing ²⁶. Platypuses can stay underwater for up to 10 minutes while foraging ²⁶. When swimming, they propel themselves with their front feet and use their back feet for steering ²⁶. Remarkably, they close their eyes, ears, and nostrils underwater, relying entirely on their bill to locate prey ²⁶.

Platypuses are largely solitary animals, although several individuals may share the same body of water ³⁰. They are generally quiet but can produce a low-pitched growling sound when disturbed or handled ³⁰. In southern regions like Victoria, platypuses typically mate in August ²⁶. The female platypus lays one to three eggs in a burrow ³¹. These tiny young are born naked, blind, and with undeveloped limbs ²⁶. After hatching, the baby platypus, sometimes called a platypup or puggle, crawls to its mother’s belly and suckles on mammary patches where milk oozes onto the skin, as they lack teats ²⁶. During cold southern winters, a platypus may even hibernate in its burrow to conserve energy ²⁶.

While the conservation status of the platypus in the Macedon Ranges is not explicitly detailed in the snippets, their presence is noted as significant ². However, platypus populations face threats from habitat degradation, including increased water runoff and contaminants from urbanization, which can destroy their habitats ²⁸. Litter in waterways can also entangle and cause mortality ²⁸. Climate change is another significant factor impacting platypus habitats ²⁸.

The platypus is one of only three monotremes, the egg-laying mammals ²⁶. The collective noun for a group of platypuses is a paddle ³¹. They typically sleep for around 14 hours a day ³¹.

The Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network recognizes the ecological and cultural significance of the platypus. While we may not have specific platypus monitoring programs currently outlined in the provided materials, our broader efforts to protect and improve the health of local waterways directly benefit this iconic species.

You can help protect platypuses in the Macedon Ranges by being mindful of what gets washed down stormwater drains, as this can directly impact their aquatic habitat ²⁸. Participating in tree planting and litter clean-up days along local creeks and rivers can also make a significant difference ²⁸. If you are lucky enough to observe a platypus, do so quietly and from a distance to avoid disturbing them ²⁶. Look for ripples on the water surface or a small bow wave created by their front feet as they paddle ²⁶. By appreciating and respecting these enigmatic creatures and their habitat, we can help ensure their continued presence in the Macedon Ranges.