 Platypuses live in freshwater, rivers or lakes (In eastern Australia, Tasmania).  They are most active during night time hours.  When swimming the platypus has its eyes shut.  They stay 2 minutes under water before they return to the surface for oxygen. But they can stay up to 10 minutes but they need another object to do this.

 Their threats are snakes, goannas, rats and foxes. Others are man, water pollution and land clearing.  They feed on insect larvae, worms or freshwater insects.  Males are larger than females.  They reproduce once a year; between June and October and the female lays 2-4 eggs and incubates these for a two week period. freshwater insect->

 The male has venom strong enough to kill a small dog or cause excruciating pain among humans.  Some call the baby 'puggle' but a common suggested name is 'platypup'.  It has 3 layers of fur; 1.Keeps the animal warm. 2.Provides and insulating coat for it. 3.Detects objects close by. ‘puggle’ or ‘platypup’->

The platypus has a very shy nature and generally lives alone however they can share a watercourse with other platypus.

You are very lucky to see a platypus and if you do you must be very quiet and still. Sightings have been reported throughout South-east Queensland’s rivers and streams. In Logan, it has been sighted in Slacks Creek and Scrubby Creek. The greatest threat to the platypus is caused by humans. The deterioration of waterways is occurring by riparian vegetation removal, aquatic weeds, pollution, algal growths and saltation, each putting the platypus survival under increasing pressure.

Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size: Head and body, 38 cm; Tail, 13 cm Weight: 1.4 kg Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:

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