Platypuses produce growls, clicks, and screeches both underwater and on land. These vocalizations serve for mating, territorial disputes, and signaling distress. Underwater sounds travel differently, allowing communication across rivers. Juveniles respond to adult calls for learning and social interaction. Vocalizations are low-frequency and sometimes inaudible to humans. This complex communication supports survival and reproduction. It is unusual for solitary semi-aquatic mammals to have such diverse vocal behaviors.
Vocalizations aid in reproduction, territoriality, and parent-offspring interactions.
They enhance survival by enabling coordination in dense aquatic habitats.
Platypus calls can carry underwater for several meters.
Australian Museum (australian.museum)