1993/01/01 by Hans Kruuk · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Marine animal studies overview
paper · doi:10.2307/2404239
openalex publication_date 1993/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/11/06
The diving behaviour of platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in their natural habitat is described, comparing performance in waters of different nutrient content. The mean dive time (TUW) was 35 s, but varied between 27 s and 49 s for different habitats. These times were much longer than was predicted from comparisons with other, larger semi-aquatic mammals on the basis of body weight. Mean time on surface (TOS) was 13 s, varying with habitat between 11 s and 17 s; within-habitat variation in TOS was greater than that for TUW, probably related to differences in food processing. There was a low correlation between TUW and subsequent TOS, and no substantial effect of depth on TUW. In the foraging areas with greatest nutrient content and food availability platypus covered longer distances during dives and on the surface