Just Accepted
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Movements and burrow use of newly emerged juvenile and adult platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
Abstract
The platypus faces population declines due to various anthropogenic pressures. Despite its ecological importance, substantial knowledge gaps exist concerning juvenile movements and adult-juvenile interactions. We investigated total range, burrow range, active range, and burrow usage of platypuses in Coranderrk Creek, Victoria. We radio-tracked three adult and three juvenile platypuses, recording the location of their resting burrows and their movements during the night. Our results revealed that juveniles exhibited significantly larger total ranges (mean juvenile 1473 ± 735 m; adult 920 ± 373 m) and daily ranges compared to adults. Juveniles also had larger burrow ranges and travelled further from their burrows each night. While no significant differences were observed in total number of burrows used between adults and juveniles, juveniles tended to use more moderate-use burrows (used 2 – 9 times), whereas adults favoured frequent-use burrows (used >10 times). Additionally, juvenile-adult dyads demonstrated the greatest total range (burrow and active range combined) overlap, and several instances of burrow sharing between adults and juveniles were observed. These findings suggest that juvenile platypuses are more exploratory, with larger ranges and more diverse burrow use patterns than adults. Our study provides new insights into the spatial behaviour and social interactions of the platypus.
AM24037 Accepted 28 April 2025
© CSIRO 2025
