Use of time and space by platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus: Monotremata) along a Victorian stream |
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| Authors: | M Serena |
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| Institution: | Healesville Sanctuary, P. O. Box 248, Healesville, Victoria 3777, Australia and Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, USA |
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| Abstract: | Radio-tracking and mark recapture methods were used to characterize the spatial organization and temporal activity patterns of free-ranging platypuses in southern Victoria. The study area supported an estimated 1.3-2.1 adult or subadult animals per kilometre of stream in the three summers sampled. The individual home ranges of 15 radio-tagged animals comprised 0.33-2.28 km of stream; animals foraging exclusively in the stream had significantly longer ranges (mean=1.40 km) than animals which also foraged in associated pond habitats (mean=0.64km). Home ranges of grown females overlapped with those of neighbouring grown females, subadult and adult males, and juveniles (
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