Reproductive Behavior

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

http://animals.jrank.org/pages/2581/Duck-Billed-Platypus-Ornithorhynchidae-BEHAVIOR-REPRODUCTION.html

http://www.ansci.wisc.edu/jjp1/ansci_repro/misc/project_websites_08/thur/monotremes/matbehav.html

http://www.australianfauna.com/platypus.php