• Question: How does a platypus find their way in the water if they have poor sight? Do they make sounds? If so, how?:-)

    Asked by ponyviolin2342 to Andy, Duane, Giovanna, Katie, Theresia on 11 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Duane Mellor

      Duane Mellor answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      I am not sure, I remember something about picking up small electrical messages with their bill helps them to sense where they are. I don’t really know

    • Photo: Giovanna Bermano

      Giovanna Bermano answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      not quite sure but I think I read somewhere that they pick up tiny electrical currents generated by the muscular contractions of their prey… this allows them to distinguish between animate and inanimate objects!!!

    • Photo: Andrew Philp

      Andrew Philp answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      Platypus’s are such a unique creature. I’m fortunate to have been to Australia a few times but have never managed to see one in the wild as they are so rare and timid, but would LOVE to see one someday. I think it is a combination of using the bill and fur to feel vibrations conducted through the water. They dig with their bills to feel vibrations in the river bed etc.

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