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href="https://platypus.asn.au/visual-methods/">Visual methods</a></li> <li id="menu-item-2317" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2317"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/other-methods-for-platypus-survey-or-monitoring/">Environmental DNA (eDNA)</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6616" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6616"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/cameras/">Cameras</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6615" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6615"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/burrow-counts/">Platypus burrow counts</a></li> <li id="menu-item-249" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page current-menu-item page_item page-item-188 current_page_item menu-item-249"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/" aria-current="page">Spotting hints</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-1990" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page 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menu-item-object-page menu-item-12237"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/urban-stream-syndrome-and-the-platypus/">Urban development</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12240" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12240"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/pumps-pipes-culverts-and-the-platypus/">Culverts & pipes</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12241" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12241"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/litter-and-the-platypus/">Litter</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12234" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12234"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/angling-and-the-platypus/">Angling</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12231" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12231"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-deaths-in-nets-and-traps/">Dangerous nets & traps</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12238" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12238"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-predators-and-disease/">Predators & disease</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12232" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12232"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/wildfire-and-the-platypus/">Wildfire</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-6285" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-6285"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/management-guidelines-2/">Platypus Management Guidelines</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-6286" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6286"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/maintaining-a-suitable-flow-regime-in-managed-river-systems/">Streamflow</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6291" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6291"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/water-quality-and-sediment-contaminants/">Water quality</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6288" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6288"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/protecting-and-improving-bank-habitats/">Bank habitats</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6289" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6289"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/instream-woody-habitat-logs-and-branches/">Instream wood</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6290" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6290"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/managing-stormwater-drainage/">Stormwater drainage</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6287" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6287"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-drought-refuges/">Drought refuges</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6295" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6295"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/culverts-pipes-and-grilles/">Culverts & pipes</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6297" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6297"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/weir-walls-and-fishways/">Weirs & fishways</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6296" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6296"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/walking-tracks-viewing-platforms-bridges-and-street-lighting/">Paths & lights</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6293" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6293"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/use-of-heavy-machinery-in-and-near-waterways/">Use of heavy equipment</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6298" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6298"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/pumps-and-small-scale-hydropower-generators/">Pumps & generators</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-11698" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-11698"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-biology/">Platypus Biology</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-11651" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11651"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-vital-statistics/">Vital statistics</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11652" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11652"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-fur-colour-and-general-features/">General features and fur colour</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11653" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11653"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/the-platypus-bill-push-rods-and-electroreception/">The bill and its senses</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11654" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11654"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-vision-and-hearing/">Vision and hearing</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11655" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11655"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-body-temperature/">Body temperature</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11656" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11656"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-venom-and-spurs/">Venom and spurs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11657" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11657"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-genetics-and-dispersal/">Genetics and dispersal</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11658" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11658"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-sleep-and-dreaming/">Sleep and dreaming</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-1999" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-1999"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/ecology-behaviour/">Platypus Ecology & Behaviour</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-11666" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11666"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-foraging-behaviour/">Foraging behaviour</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11667" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11667"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-diet-and-food-consumption/">Diet and food consumption</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11668" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11668"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-home-range-movements-and-dispersal/">Home range and movements</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11669" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11669"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-burrows/">Burrows</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11670" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11670"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-reproduction/">Reproduction</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11671" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11671"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-courtship-mating-and-nest-building/">Courtship, mating and nest-building</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11672" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11672"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-communication/">Communication</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11673" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11673"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-mortality-factors/">Mortality factors</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-2003" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-2003"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/evolution-names/">Names & Evolution</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-11638" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11638"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-names-including-whats-the-plural-of-platypus/">Names (including “What’s the plural of platypus?”)</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11640" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11640"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/the-platypuss-fossil-history/">Fossil history</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11641" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11641"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/echidnas-the-other-modern-monotremes/">Echidnas – the other modern monotremes</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-2001" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-2001"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/distribution-numbers/">Platypus Status</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-12577" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12577"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/conservation-status/">Platypus conservation status</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12578" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12578"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/distribution/">Platypus distribution</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12576" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12576"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/population-size-and-density/">Platypus abundance</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-1998" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-1998"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/faqs/">FAQs & Myths</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-12574" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12574"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/some-platypus-faqs/">Some platypus FAQs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-12575" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12575"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-myths/">Some platypus myths</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-11819" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-11819"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/rakali-master/">Rakali</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-11774" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11774"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/rakali-size-and-general-features/">Size and general features</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11793" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11793"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/rakali-distribution-and-habitats/">Distribution and habitats</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11770" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11770"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/rakali-names-and-origin/">Names and origin</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11785" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11785"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/rakali-spatial-use-and-shelter-sites/">Spatial use and shelter sites</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11779" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11779"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/rakali-diet-and-foraging-behaviour/">Diet and foraging behaviour</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11782" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11782"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/rakali-reproduction/">Reproduction</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11789" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11789"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/rakali-conservation-status-and-concerns/">Rakali conservation status</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11791" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11791"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/coexistence-of-rakali-and-platypus/">Coexistence of rakali and platypus</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-19" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-privacy-policy menu-item-19"><a rel="privacy-policy" href="https://platypus.asn.au/about/">About the Conservancy</a></li> <li id="menu-item-21" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/apc-newsletter/">APC Newsletter</a></li> <li id="menu-item-10930" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-10930"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/report-a-sighting/">Report a Sighting</a></li> <li id="menu-item-13134" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-13134"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/how-you-can-help/">Donate or Make Bequest</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-11145" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11145"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/donate-by-bank-transfer/">Donate by bank transfer</a></li> <li id="menu-item-11141" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11141"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/donate-by-visa-mastercard/">Donate by Visa/Mastercard</a></li> <li id="menu-item-14252" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-14252"><a href="https://platypus.asn.au/make-a-bequest/">Make a Bequest</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></div> </nav> </div> </header> <div id="content" class="site-content"> <div id="primary" class="content-area"> <main id="main" class="site-main" role="main"> <article id="post-188" class="post-188 page type-page status-publish hentry"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title">Spotting Hints</h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <div class="featured-image"> </div> <h3><span style="color: #000000;">Hints on Spotting Platypus and Water-rats in the Wild</span></h3> <h4><span style="color: #000000;">When and where to look</span></h4> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Platypus (<em>Ornithorynchus anatinus</em> ) and Australian water-rats (<em>Hydromys chrysogaster</em>) are most likely to be observed early in the morning or late in the evening, though both animals may also be active in the middle of the day.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Both platypus and water-rats occupy weir pools, irrigation channels and man-made dams or reservoirs as well as natural lakes, rivers, creeks, backwaters and billabongs. They are generally most readily spotted in places where the water surface is fairly calm, making it easier for observers to identify the ripples formed on the water surface as the animals swim and dive. Both species occur over a wide altitudinal range, from sea level up to at least 1500 metres. However, platypus are not commonly seen (and never abundant) in the salty water of bays and estuaries. In contrast, water-rats are known to inhabit ocean beaches and are found on many islands surrounded by sea water.</span></p> <h4><span style="color: #000000;">Size and appearance</span></h4> <p><span style="color: #000000;">At a distance of more than 20 metres, even an experienced observer may find it difficult to reliably distinguish a platypus from a water-rat, especially in poor light.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Platypus are dark brown in colour, with lighter underparts and a small white patch located next to each eye. Similarly, water-rat fur usually looks dark brown when the animals are wet. When water-rats are dry and seen at close range, their fur may (depending on the area) be chocolate brown, reddish brown, mouse grey or even mottled grey-brown, with underparts that vary in colour from cream to light brown to golden yellow.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Both species typically float low in the water, with just the top of the head and back (and sometimes a bit of tail) visible as they swim on the surface.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="192" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus1/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus1.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1" data-orig-size="640,480" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus1.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus1.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-192 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus1.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus1" width="640" height="480" /></span><br /> <span style="color: #000000;"><em>A platypus seen from a distance of about 25 metres (above)</em></span><br /> <span style="color: #000000;"><em> and a water-rat seen from a distance of about 15 metres (below)</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="195" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus2.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1" data-orig-size="640,480" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus2.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus2.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-195" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus2.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus2" width="640" height="480" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Platypus and water-rats are also quite similar in size, with very large adult males of both species measuring up to about 60 centimetres in length (including the tail). Juveniles are of course smaller than most adults when they first enter the water. Juvenile platypus first emerge from nesting burrows in late January to early March in Victoria and New South Wales, with Queensland juveniles emerging a few weeks earlier and Tasmanian juveniles up to around two months later. By comparison, young water-rats are seen over a much longer period of time, from early spring to at least early autumn.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">The best way to distinguish a water-rat from a platypus in the water is to look carefully at the tail: the water-rat has a long, narrow tail with a conspicuous white tip, whereas the platypus has a flat, uniformly dark, paddle-like tail.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Platypus are also very rarely seen on land, though they may occasionally rest on a log or rock, usually while grooming.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="203" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus3/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus3.jpg?fit=540%2C310&ssl=1" data-orig-size="540,310" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4.9","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot S45","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1220014680","copyright":"","focal_length":"21.3125","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0.005","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus3" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus3.jpg?fit=300%2C172&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus3.jpg?fit=540%2C310&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-203 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus3.jpg?resize=540%2C310&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus3" width="540" height="310" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">In contrast, water-rats are much more likely to be seen on land, either consuming their prey or running along the bank (as shown above).</span></p> <h4><span style="color: #000000;">Feeding habits and diet</span></h4> <p><span style="color: #000000;">The platypus diet mainly consists of aquatic insects such as mayfly and caddis-fly larvae, along with other invertebrates such as worms, freshwater shrimps and yabbies. Although a platypus may sometimes glean prey from the water’s surface, the animals mainly find their food by diving, with around 75 dives typically completed per hour. Prey items are stored in cheek pouches and then chewed up and swallowed after a platypus returns to the surface to breathe (as shown below).</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="209" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus4/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus4.jpg?fit=478%2C248&ssl=1" data-orig-size="478,248" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"NIKON D1","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1030905376","copyright":"","focal_length":"420","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0.0013333333333333","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus4" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus4.jpg?fit=300%2C156&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus4.jpg?fit=478%2C248&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-209 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus4.jpg?resize=478%2C248&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus4" width="478" height="248" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">In contrast to a platypus, a water-rat is equipped with a sharp set of teeth and front paws that are good at grasping and holding things. Hence, while water-rats eat some of the same insects and other items regularly eaten by a platypus, they also dine on fish, large mussels and crabs, frogs (including cane toads) and occasionally even waterfowl such as ducks. All prey is captured and carried using the jaws, and then normally eaten out of the water – most typically on a conveniently placed log, rock or elevated clump of reeds which often becomes densely littered with yabby claws or mussel shells.</span></p> <h4><span style="color: #000000;">Diving patterns</span></h4> <p><span style="color: #000000;">A platypus diving sequence typically starts with the animal arching its back as it neatly propels itself forward and down into the water (as shown below), leaving an expanding ring of ripples on the surface. There is generally little or no associated sound unless the platypus has been startled, causing the animal to push itself downwards more forcefully than usual, which in turn creates an audible splash.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="212" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus5/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus5.jpg?fit=458%2C302&ssl=1" data-orig-size="458,302" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus5" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus5.jpg?fit=300%2C198&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus5.jpg?fit=458%2C302&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-212 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus5.jpg?resize=458%2C302&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus5" width="458" height="302" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">A platypus will normally remain underwater for less than one minute while feeding (though occasionally a bit longer, particularly if the water is more than about 3 metres deep). When the animal’s oxygen supply starts to run low it returns to the surface, most typically popping up within 10-20 metres of the point where it dived. However, if a platypus is alarmed by a bird flying overhead or some other perceived threat, it may hide underwater for 10 minutes or more, conserving oxygen by wedging itself under a handy log or the roots of an undercut tree at the waters edge. Alternatively, it may retire to a burrow or a protected location under an overhanging shrub until the danger has passed.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">A platypus will hold its position by paddling gently with its front feet even while it floats on the surface, creating a distinctive ‘bullseye’ pattern of ripples which becomes stronger as the platypus dives, then gradually fades away. These strong ripples are very distinctive when the water surface is calm (as shown below) and are often the first sign that a platypus is active in the area.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="217" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus6/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus6.jpg?fit=524%2C340&ssl=1" data-orig-size="524,340" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus6" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus6.jpg?fit=300%2C195&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus6.jpg?fit=524%2C340&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-217 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus6.jpg?resize=524%2C340&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus6" width="524" height="340" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">However, platypus ripples usually can be detected even in fairly choppy conditions (as shown below). The 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.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="221" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus7/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus7.jpg?fit=640%2C266&ssl=1" data-orig-size="640,266" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus7" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus7.jpg?fit=300%2C125&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus7.jpg?fit=640%2C266&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-221 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus7.jpg?resize=640%2C266&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus7" width="640" height="266" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">The ripples formed when a water-rat dives are generally weaker and less well defined than those created by a platypus (as shown below). Water-rats typically stay underwater for fairly short periods of time and often come to the surface relatively far from where they dived, reflecting the fact that they have been actively chasing fish or other prey underwater.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="224" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus8/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus8.jpg?fit=640%2C449&ssl=1" data-orig-size="640,449" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus8" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus8.jpg?fit=300%2C210&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus8.jpg?fit=640%2C449&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-224 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus8.jpg?resize=640%2C449&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus8" width="640" height="449" /></span></p> <h4><span style="color: #000000;">Swimming patterns</span></h4> <p><span style="color: #000000;">When a platypus wants to swim rapidly and directly from point A to point B, (for example, to return to a burrow to sleep at the end of a feeding session, or to chase another platypus), he or she will travel mainly on the surface to breathe and paddle at the same time. This type of movement typically creates a long, narrow wake in the water (as shown below), often visible from a distance as a distinctive silvery streak in calm water.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="227" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus9/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus9.jpg?fit=331%2C183&ssl=1" data-orig-size="331,183" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus9" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus9.jpg?fit=300%2C166&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus9.jpg?fit=331%2C183&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-227 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus9.jpg?resize=331%2C183&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus9" width="331" height="183" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">The maximum rate of travel recorded for a platypus swimming in a direct manner at the surface is around 3.6 kilometres per hour, though the animals usually progress at a more leisurely rate of around 1.5 to 2.5 kilometres per hour.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Platypus use only their front legs to paddle, resulting in quite a strong bow wave but relatively narrow trailing wake (below).</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="231" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus10/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus10.jpg?fit=370%2C258&ssl=1" data-orig-size="370,258" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 40D","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1217265715","copyright":"","focal_length":"300","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.0055555555555556","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus10" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus10.jpg?fit=300%2C209&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus10.jpg?fit=370%2C258&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-231 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus10.jpg?resize=370%2C258&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus10" width="370" height="258" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">By comparison, water-rats mainly use their hind legs when swimming, which typically produces a wider trailing wake (below).</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="234" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus11/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus11.jpg?fit=640%2C451&ssl=1" data-orig-size="640,451" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus11" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus11.jpg?fit=300%2C211&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus11.jpg?fit=640%2C451&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-234 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus11.jpg?resize=640%2C451&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus11" width="640" height="451" /></span></p> <h4><span style="color: #000000;">Other behaviour</span></h4> <p><span style="color: #000000;">When resting on the water surface, a platypus may spend quite a lot of time scratching or combing its fur with a hind foot and can often look quite contorted (or ecstatic) while involved in this activity.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="236" data-permalink="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/spottingplatypus12/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus12.jpg?fit=1113%2C476&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1113,476" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"NIKON D80","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1231230095","copyright":"","focal_length":"300","iso":"360","shutter_speed":"0.002","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="spottingplatypus12" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus12.jpg?fit=300%2C128&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus12.jpg?fit=748%2C320&ssl=1" class=" size-full wp-image-236 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/platypus.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/spottingplatypus12.jpg?resize=748%2C320&ssl=1" alt="spottingplatypus12" width="748" height="320" /></span><br /> <span style="color: #000000;">A platypus grooming in the water</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Water-rats may occasionally give themselves a quick scratch while in the water but prefer to carry out most grooming activities on land.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Other animals can sometimes be mistakenly identified as a platypus or water-rat</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">It is possible to confuse diving birds (such as ducks, grebes, cormorants and darters) with both the platypus and water-rat. This is especially true of musk ducks (Biziura lobata): large, dark birds which often swim alone and produce a platypus-like pattern of ripples when they dive. Particularly in autumn, a male musk duck will sometimes swim with his head and neck stretched out straight in front of him near the water surface, producing a very platypus-like outline.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">To distinguish waterbirds from platypus and water-rats, keep in mind that the silhouette of a platypus or water-rat is much flatter than that of even relatively small birds such as grebes and coots. If the profile of a swimming animal projects well above the water surface, it is unlikely to be that of a platypus or water-rat.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Freshwater tortoises and some of the larger fish (such as carp, eels and freshwater catfish) can sometimes be mistaken for a platypus or water-rat, particularly if glimpsed for only a few seconds in dim light. Carp in particular may spend long periods of time with their backs well out of the water as they feed near the shoreline. However, differences in the appearance and behaviour of these animals and the two mammals usually become quite obvious upon more careful observation.</span></p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-icon-text sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-facebook"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-facebook-188" class="share-facebook sd-button share-icon" href="https://platypus.asn.au/spotting-hints/?share=facebook" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Facebook" ><span>Facebook</span></a></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button share-icon" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Spotting%20Hints&body=https%3A%2F%2Fplatypus.asn.au%2Fspotting-hints%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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value='https://platypus.asn.au/2019/07/'> July 2019 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2019/06/'> June 2019 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2019/03/'> March 2019 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2018/12/'> December 2018 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2018/09/'> September 2018 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2018/06/'> June 2018 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2018/03/'> March 2018 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2017/12/'> December 2017 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2017/11/'> November 2017 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2017/07/'> July 2017 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2017/04/'> April 2017 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2016/11/'> November 2016 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2016/08/'> August 2016 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2016/05/'> May 2016 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2016/02/'> February 2016 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2015/11/'> November 2015 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2015/08/'> August 2015 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2015/05/'> May 2015 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2015/02/'> February 2015 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2014/11/'> November 2014 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2014/08/'> August 2014 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2014/05/'> May 2014 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2014/02/'> February 2014 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2013/11/'> November 2013 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2013/08/'> August 2013 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2013/06/'> June 2013 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2013/02/'> February 2013 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2012/10/'> October 2012 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2012/06/'> June 2012 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2012/02/'> February 2012 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2011/10/'> October 2011 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2011/06/'> June 2011 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2011/03/'> March 2011 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2010/10/'> October 2010 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2010/06/'> June 2010 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2010/03/'> March 2010 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2009/10/'> October 2009 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2009/05/'> May 2009 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2009/02/'> February 2009 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2008/09/'> September 2008 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2008/03/'> March 2008 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2007/10/'> October 2007 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2007/05/'> May 2007 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2007/01/'> January 2007 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2006/08/'> August 2006 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2006/02/'> February 2006 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2005/10/'> October 2005 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2005/06/'> June 2005 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2005/02/'> February 2005 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2004/10/'> October 2004 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2004/05/'> May 2004 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2004/02/'> February 2004 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2003/09/'> September 2003 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2003/03/'> March 2003 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2002/10/'> October 2002 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2002/07/'> July 2002 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2001/11/'> November 2001 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2001/09/'> September 2001 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2001/06/'> June 2001 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2000/12/'> December 2000 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2000/07/'> July 2000 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/2000/04/'> April 2000 </option> <option value='https://platypus.asn.au/1999/12/'> December 1999 </option> </select> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function() { var dropdown = document.getElementById( "archives-dropdown-3" ); function onSelectChange() { if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value !== '' ) { document.location.href = this.options[ this.selectedIndex ].value; } } dropdown.onchange = onSelectChange; })(); /* ]]> */ </script> </aside> </div> </div> <div class="footer-wrap clear"> <footer id="colophon" class="site-footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="footer-widgets"> <div class="widget-area"> <aside id="text-2" class="widget widget_text"><h1 class="widget-title">Report a Platypus Sighting</h1> <div class="textwidget">If you have ever seen a platypus in the wild (either alive or dead), you possess information that is vital to our understanding of the status, distribution and conservation needs of the species. Therefore, please consider reporting the details of your sighting(s) to the Australian Platypus Conservancy. Use our <a href="https://platypus.asn.au/report-a-sighting/">Reporting Form</a> </div> </aside> </div> <div class="widget-area"> <aside id="text-3" class="widget widget_text"><h1 class="widget-title">Platypus & Water Rat Reports</h1> <div class="textwidget">If you wish to keep up to date with the Platypus and Water Rat Reports, please go to our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Australian-Platypus-Conservancy-Official-225816770830721/">Facebook Page </a></div> </aside> </div> <div class="widget-area"> <aside id="text-4" class="widget widget_text"><h1 class="widget-title">Rakali – the water rat</h1> <div class="textwidget">Information about the Rakali or Australian water-rat is available via the <a href="/rakali">Rakali Page</a>. 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