Platypus

Habitat:

The platypus mostly lives in freshwater lakes, rivers, lagoons, farm dams, and streams that will have earth banks to allow the mammals to construct their burrow. They can be found at Lake Elizabeth area near Forrest however we do recommend taking a tour as they are very shy and extremely difficult to see in the wild.

Facts:

• Platypus are mammals known as Monotremes, just like the echidna, as they lay eggs and don't birth their young.
• Platypuses can consume their entire body weight in food within just a 24 hour period.
• The platypus featured on the reverse of its 20-cent coin.
• The male platypus is venomous, they carry enough venom to kill an animal the size of a dog but not a human, however it would cause immense pain.
• They locate their prey in part by detecting electric fields generated by muscular contractions, this is called electroreception.
• There is no official name for a baby platypus, some like to call them platypups!
• To report injured wildlife call  03 8400 7300.