Magellan the platypus

forthferalz · Post by **forthferalz** » 02 April 07 10:14 pm

I've sponsored a platypus called Magellan. Karmic really - found him while researching for australia 07 geocoin. As there is a previous topic related to platypus care thought some of you might also be interested in using your GPS units while out and about to log platypus sightings. Just add your info to the online form here www.platypus.asn.au They are also interested in water rat sightings - really weird animal - i saw one the other day while caching around devonport and had no idea until now what it was.
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PS I was a bit alarmed at the number of toes I can see on the logo. The waterways must be quite toxic.

Grank · Post by **Grank** » 02 April 07 10:44 pm

Why not create a virtual cache Platypus Sightings so we can log it for you?

forthferalz · Post by **forthferalz** » 02 April 07 11:39 pm

Hi Grank, not quite sure what you mean. The platypus guys have their own form for anyone to fill in - and they really like GPS coordinates. I just wanted to let people know it's there. And we seem to like sticking caches near platties

Craigrat saw 5 one day at warrawee! That is amazing as they're not really a group animal so they would have been really interested in talking to him about that i bet. on the down side I saw a dead one at xmas - at a platypus crossing sign no less!

Team Rubik · Post by **Team Rubik** » 03 April 07 7:53 am

forthferalz wrote:on the down side I saw a dead one at xmas - at a platypus crossing sign no less!

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Flatypus?

forthferalz · Post by **forthferalz** » 03 April 07 8:24 am

yes

they are interested in those sightings too

Map Monkey · Post by **Map Monkey** » 03 April 07 8:38 am

FF,

Did you see anywhere on that site about showing locations of them.....it's nice to report any sightings, however it would be good to know where some areas are to check them out. Eg. Eungella National Park up here is world famous for studying these creatures (several documentaries have been shot here), so informing people of controlled locations would be helpful in the education process.

mm

Postman Pat · Post by **Postman Pat** » 03 April 07 9:04 am

Do we want to advertise the locations of these rare and endangerd animals.

given that anyone can log onto this site.As there is a location near by where I have seen a couple of these shy animals and have decided not to place a cache there.

forthferalz · Post by **forthferalz** » 03 April 07 9:22 am

well the point is they are actually not rare or endangered - but neither was the tassie devil, and they want to get teh hop on the HEALTHY population now and also monitor the effects of cleanup of urban water . without spending bucks on surveys. althought they do that too. platties cooexist with people really well - they aren't that shy. I've seen one swimming around in at that cache site with a radio contolled boat for company and a busload of tourists. But they like to EAT lots, and they eat early and late which means being underwater a fair bit then sleep in a burrow I guess! So we say 'shy' or 'elusive'.
the site has viewing tips
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edit:but pat is right - don't tell just anyone. A couple oflittle guys turned up dead in Latrobe last week - 'kids' were seen chucking rocks down off the old bridge perhaps at the platties

Post by **CraigRat** » 03 April 07 9:43 am

Magellan the platypus?

So.....it's twce the size of a normal platypus and weights 1/2 a ton????

Team Rubik · Post by **Team Rubik** » 03 April 07 8:10 pm

CraigRat wrote:Magellan the platypus?

So.....it's twce the size of a normal platypus and weights 1/2 a ton????

But far more attractive to lady platypode.

homedg · Post by **homedg** » 03 April 07 8:17 pm

WOW, poll results are almost a dead heat.

Hang on...... Wasn't a tie just enough to get George Dubya elected!

Knot_gillty · Post by **Knot_gillty** » 03 April 07 9:02 pm

CraigRat wrote:Magellan the platypus?

So.....it's twce the size of a normal platypus and weights 1/2 a ton????

sure its not a "hippoplatypus"?

Map Monkey · Post by **Map Monkey** » 03 April 07 9:28 pm

homedg wrote: WOW, poll results are almost a dead heat.
Hang on...... Wasn't a tie just enough to get George Dubya elected!

What poll

mm