Location Selection:
- Platypuses typically choose to build their nests near bodies of water, such as rivers, streams, or lakes.
- They prefer stable riverbanks with suitable soil conditions for digging.
Nest Structure:
- Platypus nests consist of two separate chambers: a nesting chamber and an access tunnel.
- The nesting chamber is where the female platypus lays and incubates her eggs.
- The access tunnel is the underwater entrance and exit point for the platypus.
Materials:
- Platypuses gather various materials to construct their nests, including grass, leaves, sticks, twigs, roots, and mud.
Construction Process:
1. Excavation:
- Platypuses use their strong forelimbs, equipped with sharp claws, to dig the access tunnel and the nesting chamber.
- They dig with alternating strokes of their front feet, pushing the excavated soil behind them.
2. Gathering Materials:
- Platypuses collect suitable materials like grass, leaves, and sticks by gathering them with their bill and forelimbs.
3. Lining the Nesting Chamber:
- They transport the collected materials inside the burrow and use them to line the nesting chamber.
- The nesting chamber can be up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) wide and lined thickly with soft materials for insulation.
4. Creating the Access Tunnel:
- Platypuses dig the access tunnel, which slopes upward from the water's edge, providing a concealed underwater entrance to the nest.
- In einigen Fällen kann der Zugangstunnel bis zu 6 Meter lang sein (20 feet long).
5. Final Touches:
- They use mud and saliva to plaster the inside walls of the access tunnel and line the entrance with leaves and sticks for camouflage.
- The tunnel entrance is usually hidden underwater and strategically positioned under an overhanging bank or other natural cover.
Platypuses meticulously construct their nests to provide a safe and comfortable environment for the female to lay her eggs and raise her young. The complexity of their burrows reflects their advanced behavioral adaptations and demonstrates their skilled engineering abilities.