Platypus have some of the most interesting reproductive
behavior- from their mating rituals to their special nesting burrow to the fact
that the mother lays eggs yet is still considered a mammal. The typical platypus-mating season is
considered to be from August to October. The male platypus does not develop the
ability to reproduce until they are two years of age, and it is around this age
that the females begin breeding as well. During this time, the male and female
platypus engage in a very lengthy and unique mating ritual. Before this
happens, the males sometimes fight each other for the opportunity to mate with
the female, using the poisonous spurs on their hind legs to fight each other
off. Once the male has secured a female mate, the two swim in circles while the
male holds on to the female’s tale to keep them connected. Afterwards, they
mate in the water (not on land!). The actual copulation process involves the
male platypus coming up behind the female and placing his tail underneath the
female to facilitate connection.
Platypus have two distinct type of burrows, one of which is
called the “nesting burrow.” This burrow is built completely by the female and
is added to with wet materials (like leaves) by the female throughout the
nesting process to keep the eggs from drying out. The female platypus lays her
eggs approximately 2-4 weeks after copulation and usually lays between one and
three eggs at a time. Similar to the way birds sit on their eggs, the female
platypus holds her eggs under her with her big fat filled tail being used to
keep them close. This warmth allows the eggs to hatch in only 10 days! Interestingly,
the platypus-mating season is really the only time of the year that the
platypus is not a solitary animal.
A PLATYPUS LOVE STORY!!!!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PLnpCRuEQ0
This is such a cute blog post on platypus reproduction (who would have thought that would be possible??)! It is really interesting how the males use poisonous spurs to fend off competing males. It is also interesting that the platypus mates in the water, but nests on land. I wonder what caused them to have the different location preference for each activity?
ReplyDeleteI wonder why the platypus connect their tails during the mating ritual. Could it be that they are trying to show each other how good of a tail they have? The female uses her tail to keep the eggs close to her. Also, what is the male's tail for? This would be interesting to look in to.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures!! I forgot that platypus lay eggs, how interesting for a mammal!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute and interesting animal! I wonder if their different locations for mating and laying eggs originated with migration!
ReplyDeletehahha
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many Phineas and Ferb fan fiction writers found their way here since there are plenty of platypus love story's out there.
ReplyDelete