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Do platypuses dig burrows

Updated: 10/9/2023
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14y ago

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Yes. Platypuses live in burrows which they dig at the side of riverbanks, creek banks or edges of lakes and ponds. They are usually dug under an overhang of the bank, or where the entrance can be concealed by logs or vegetation.

During breeding deason, the female platypus also digs an extra chamber at the end of her burrow to incubate her eggs. Platypuses are one of just two types of egg-laying mammals.

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12y ago
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11y ago

Platypuses dig burrows in riverbanks, creekbanks or the banks of dams or lakes above the waterline. The burrow usually has two entrances, often underneath an overhanging section of the bank, or beneath tree roots, in order to disguise it from predators. The burrows are long and winding, usually having a total length of ten to twenty metres. Some platypus burrows have been measured at 30 metres.

During breeding season, the female platypus digs an extra chamber at the end of the burrow, which is lined with leaves and grasses at the entrance to keep the chamber dry when she enters after searching for food. Nesting burrows are generally longer than "camping" burrows.

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14y ago

Yes. Platypuses dig their own burrows in river banks or creek banks.

There is an odd concept prevalent overseas that platypuses are like beavers (they are not), so they certainly do not build dams.

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12y ago

Platypuses shelter in burrows they dig in the banks of creeks and rivers. These burrows are dry, as they are above the waterline, and they may be up to 30 metres (100 feet) in length. Platypuses cannot live in water, but thyey must hunt for their food in water.

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14y ago

Yes. For shelter, platypuses dig burrows in the banks of the freshwater creeks, rivers or lakes where they do their hunting. The entrances are disguised beneath overhangs, or by tree roots and other vegetation.

Platypuses have webbed feet with retractable webbing which enables them to dig their burrows. Burrows can be over 30m in length (100 feet). During breeding season, the female digs a chamber at the end of a burrow, which is where she incubates her eggs.

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14y ago

A platypus's burrow is purely for the purpose of shelter during the day. Female platypuses dig a chamber at the end of the burrow to incubate their eggs, and to protect the young platypuses as they develop.

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15y ago

Yes. The platypus's feet are equipped with strong claws for burrowing into riverbanks for shelter.

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15y ago

The platypus digs burrows in riverbanks for shelter.

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Related questions

What do platypuses sleep in?

Platypuses sleep in long burrows they dig in riverbanks or creek banks.


Why and how does a platypus dig?

Platypuses have sharp claws on their front legs. Although their feet are webbed, the webbing is retractable. Platypuses dig burrows in riverbanks for shelter.


What does a platypus make its house out of?

Platypuses shelter in earthen burrows they dig out of riverbanks.


Where do platypuses hide?

Platypuses hide in long, deep burrows they dig into the banks of freshwater creeks and rivers. These burrows can be up to 30 metres, or 100 feet, in length.


Do platypuses live on the forest floor?

No. Platypuses live in burrows they dig in the banks of creeks and rivers in native bushland and rainforests.


Can platypuses come on to land?

Yes - platypuses live on land. They only hunt in water. Platypuses dig burrows in the riverbank or creek bank near which they do their hunting.


Do platypuses live in streams or lakes?

Not exactly. Platypuses live in burrows they dig in the banks of freshwater rivers, creeks and lakes. They do not live in the water.


Do platypuses live by lakes or rivers?

Yes. Platypuses dig burrows in the banks of freshwater creeks, lakes and rivers in Australia. They do not live in the water.


How do platypuses build shelters?

Platypuses shelter in burrows they dig in the banks of creeks and rivers. These burrows are dry, as they are above the waterline, and they may be up to 30 metres (100 feet) in length. Platypuses are specially equipped with webbed feet for swimng, but they have a retracting webbed membrane which can expose the claws, enabling the platypus to effectively dig burrows. This is what the platypus uses to dig burrows into riverbanks for their shelter. When females are nesting, they have an extra chamber at the very end of the burrow. They line the chamber with grasses and twigs which they carry to the burrow using their tail.


Do platypuses build dams?

No. Platypuses are nothing like beavers, and they do not build dams. Platypuses do not have teeth, so would be unable to gnaw wood to build dams. Their grinding plates are purely for grinding their food.For shelter, platypuses dig burrows in the banks of the freshwater creeks, rivers or lakes where they do their hunting. These burrows can be over 30m in length (100 feet). The entrances are disguised beneath overhangs, or by tree roots and other vegetation. Platypuses have webbed feet with retractable webbing which enables them to dig their burrows.


What time does a platypus sleep?

Platypuses are nocturnal, so they sleep during the day. They shelter in burrows they dig in riverbanks.


Do platypuses live in dams?

Platypuses do not live in dams like beavers do, or dams that are artificially created for storing water. Platypuses dig their burrow in riverbanks or creek banks, usually underneath an overhang of earth or tree roots, in order to disguise the entrance.