
%0 Journal Article
%A Grant, TR 
%T Body Temperatures of Free-Ranging Platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Monotremata), with Observations on their Use of Burrows
%J Australian Journal of Zoology
%D 1983/04/01
%V 31
%N 2
%P 117-122
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO9830117
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/ZO9830117 
%X Body temperatures (T*h) of free-ranging platypuses were monitored by means of radiotelemetry; although fluctuations of up to 2.8°C occurred in some individuals, most T*b measured were close to 32°C, even during immersion in cold water for up to 12 h. Platypuses spent up to 51% of their day foraging in water, and during such activities 71% of the animals studied used more than one particular burrow. One platypus maintained its T*b, while swimming in water of 0°C in a partly frozen river for at least 5 h. The platypus is a competent homeotherm which maintains a constant T*b in the face of the considerable thermal stresses imposed on it during winter in the southern part of its range. 
