The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a very unique animal found only in inland water bodies of eastern Australia.

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!