Caring for Platypuses
Sleeping in
Every morning, when the Safari Park’s animal care specialists arrive at the platypus habitat, they try hard not to wake Birrarung (he is called Birra for short), the male platypus that lives there. They quietly peek in the nest boxes to check on the snoozing platypus, who sleeps on top of his towels.
Getting ready
While the platypus keeps snoozing, the staff cleans and stocks the pool with food. They put on waders and place three different kinds of crayfish in the water for Birra to eat. Around 8 a.m., Birra leaves his nest box and starts hunting.
Yum!
Birra enjoys the larger, mud-colored crayfish. He holds his breath, closes his eyes and ears as he swims underwater and uses special receptors in his bill to find food.
Much on the menu
In addition to crayfish, Birra will find live crickets, ghost shrimp, and different kinds of worms to eat. Platypuses only eat live food, so the wildlife care specialists don’t just take care of Birra, they make sure his prey has clean living areas and healthy food, too!
Keeping busy
Birra hunts for a bit, and when he is full, he swims about exploring the pool. Wildlife care specialists sometimes put big eucalyptus branches in the water, which gives Birra a different place to dive in and around. Taking care of such special animals is a lot of work, but platypuses are so interesting to watch! Check it out for yourself by watching our Platypus Cam.
