Platypus at Euroa

Platypus are reasonably common in suitable habitat but can be difficult to see. While camping in a caravan park at Euroa last September we got an excellent view of platypus activity swimming up and down a short section of creek over an extended period.

We were camping overlooking the Seven Creeks (despite it’s name, only one creek, at least in Euroa). Coming back from my morning bird walk at about 8am I was surprised to see one in the creek below. Soon I realised there were two, possibly three, and they kept up their activity until we left about 11am.

I have never seen such persistent activity by a platypus in such an open area for so long, and so far into the day. What is more unusual is that we had two dogs with us, and while they were well behaved, the platypus did not seem to notice them either. I spoke to the girl in the office, and she expressed no surprise, so this must be normal for these animals.

Euroa is small but historic town about 2 hours north of Melbourne on the main highway between Melbourne and Sydney.