Incubation period 10–11 days during which the female holds them against her belly with her tail.1 litter in Spring of 1–2 eggs (may not reproduce every year).Females first mate aged 2 years, some wait until they are 5.Breeding season varies with location: recorded as mating in August in Queensland and October in Tasmania.The platypus (and echidna) are unique mammals because they lay eggs and feed their young through milk-producing spongy glands.Platypuses have been known to migrate across paddocks and similar land to reach new home waterways.Territorial and solitary, platypuses do not live in social groups.Males fight over females in the mating season, using their venomous spurs on their rear legs as weapons.12 years average life span in the wild.Freshwater streams, lakes or rivers, including artificial dams.Characteristic footprints are sometimes left in the soft mud on the riverbank, especially near a burrow.Well-worn slide mark from the burrow directly into the water.The burrow entrance may be beneath the water surface or more commonly from 5 cm to 1 m above the water level and often hidden by overhanging vegetation. Burrow entrances in banks are typically 10–15 cm in diameter.A characteristic ‘bow-wave’ when swimming on the water surface.A trail of bubbles shows their progress underwater.Concentric rings appear on the surface of the water when platypus dive and when they feed on the surface.These spurs are connected to a venom-producing gland in the thigh. The male has bony spurs on both hind legs for defence.Females average around 900 g and measure 43 cm long males average 1.7 kg and measure 50 cm long (average size increases the further south the animal is found).Deep brown fur on its back and top of the head, golden or silky grey underneath.Webbed front feet, partially webbed hind feet.Duck-like bill, broad flat tail and thick waterproof fur.Their range does not extend much past the Great Dividing Range in most areas but as far west as western Victoria.Wildlife Queensland research suggests that in Queensland this is not one continuous population, but at least three discontinuous populations. Found in waterways all along the eastern edge of Australia, from Tasmania to the Arran River near Cooktown.Generally travels up to 1 km along a stream but can travel up to 7 km.Their home range is normally 2.5 ha but can be up to 15 ha.
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