THE PLATYPUS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 4

THE PLATYPUS

YEAR IN CAPTIVITY

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

SYDNEY, May 17. An outstanding contribution to, the knowledge of the platypus, theeurioiis cluck-billed amphibian mammal which is only :found in Australia, and: then only rarely, has been made by an amateur .naturalist, Mr. Robert. Eadie, of Badger Creek, Healesville, Victoria. He captured "Splash," his platypus, when it was about four 'months' 'old, dnd^uiljt; in tlieigarden of his',home-,a ",platy,pus;: sary^V specially.-desigiiecl.;'.by iiimsc'l|.' from his kriowlcdgo of the creature's' habits. There "Splash" has ; lived happily for more than a, year, far longer than any other cxample'of his kind has survived in! captivity. The'pbserva-' tions of its life and'habits, which' Mr. Eadie made, often by torchlight at night, hay© reyealedi hitherto unknown traits of the platypus.:, ■.' '; J , j.' Mr. Eadie'has thus proved, for the first time, that given the right! conditions, care,' and attention; a platypus can be kept in captivity and, to somo extent, can'be domesticated. , But keeping a. platypus is an undertaking which carries with, it unexpected- -obligations ;and continuous anxiety, Mr. Eadie says. ."When first*-secured,'"Splash" was |fbarely fifteeni inches'..long^-OSe weighed 43 ounces. After a year of, "platypussary" life, he measured 19 inches and weighed 63- ounces. -In that'time, he ate morethan 259 pounds of-worrns; and nearly 900 eggs, as well as thousands of tadpoles and large quantities of wood ■grubs. ■■•.- ■■..:..■■■■ ■-.-;. -■• • .

"Splash" remained in seclusion for varying periods, which; Mr. Eadie considered, were hibernation. When disturbed, "Splash" invariably protested .by uttering a peculiar growling sound, resembling that made by a broody hen, ;but he became accustomed':to the admiration of, visitors when'he swam, in his tank; " . .' '