It is one of three monotremes (egg-laying mammals), the other
two being the long-beaked and short-beaked echidnas. With
distinctive mammalian traits such as warm bloodedness, the habit of
suckling its young with milk and the presence of fur, it also has
reptilian traits such as laying eggs. Other interesting features of
this amazing animal are its adaptations to its specialised mode of
life; the duck-like bill, dorsal nostrils, paddle-like tail and
webbed feet.
At Sydney Aquarium, we have 3 female platypus. Their names are
Jackie, Nayda and Zoe. Each animal has its own unique behavioural
traits. Jackie is recognised for her somersaults, Nayda lounges
around inside the pots of plants and Zoe likes a good game of hide
and seek. On the underside of their bill is their own unique
pattern which stays with them for life, similar to that of a human
finger print. These individual traits are all used as forms of
identification for the aquarists who look after the animals every
day.
The platypus are fed a variety of insect larvae, worms and
crustaceans, eating up to a third of their body weight in a day.
This would equate to approximately 20 kilos of food/day for an
averaged size human. The animals are weighed once/week to monitor
any changes in body condition. Handling allows for future
veterinary procedures, if required. This ongoing conditioning
results in a less stressed animal whenever any handling is
required.
Platypus are notoriously secretive, which can make viewing of the
platypus difficult in a captive situation. However it is important
for all captive animals to have areas for foraging and hiding,
similar to that of their natural environment. This assists in the
balance of group dynamics by way of providing feeding and resting
areas for each animal. Here at the aquarium, our girls have adapted
well to their home and as a result can be viewed throughout the
day, allowing people a sneak peak at one of Australia's most
secretive and unusual creatures.
Stay tuned for more blogs coming soon!