The platypus is endemic to Australia and can be found in eastern Queensland and New South Wales and in eastern, central and southwestern Victoria. They are also found throughout the island of Tasmania.In recent years, people have introduced a population of platypus to Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia.
Across the Australian continent the platypus lives mostly close to the waterways, such as freshwater lakes, rivers, lagoons, farm dams, and streams. Most platypus are found in bodies of water that have earth banks with roots, overhanging vegetation, reeds, and logs that allow them construct their burrows. They inhabiting wide range of ecosystems from temperate highland forests to tropical rainforests. The platypus usually lives in streams that are no more than five meters deep.
Platypus rest and nest in burrows along their waterways. Female platypus typically make two separate burrows, one for themselves and a male as well as one for having new babies.
The Platypus Habitat Range
Platypus live in a wide range of habitats all over Tasmania and throughout eastern Australia.
What Scientists Can Learn from Platypus Habitats to Understand Mammalian Evolution.
Before the platypus was discovered by the scientific community they knew little about how ancient mammals lived. However, after scientists discovered the platypus, they were able to speculate a few things based on their observations.
First, they were able to confirm with more certainty that the most ancient mammals were living in the water. Because the platypus is the only mammal that lives in freshwater in Australia, scientists have been able to make interesting links to early mammalian ancestors who also lived in water.
Fossils of platypus-like animals have been found dating back as far as 167 million years ago. Since the platypus have not evolve much for several million years scientists today can study them to understand even more about how and where ancient mammals lived.