Ologies with Alie Ward

Episode: Ornithorhynchology (PLATYPUSES) with Dr. Tahneal Haack
Release Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This delightful episode dives deep into the wacky world of the platypus—a truly unique animal with a "constellation of confusions." Host Alie Ward interviews Dr. Tahneal Haack, a leading platypus researcher from the University of New South Wales and the Taronga Conservation Society. Together, they untangle the mysteries of ornithorhynchology, touching on everything from platypus anatomy and evolution to conservation efforts and pop culture.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Platypus Basics: Names, Range, and Appearance

• "Platypuses, technically platypodes, but that's not really widely used. The reason is because it's actually Greek origin. So if it was Latin, it would be platypi. But because it's Greek, we go with platypuses."
  – Dr. Haack, 04:31

• Only one species of platypus exists, endemic to Australia, ranging from northern Queensland to Tasmania.

  • Northern populations are smaller; Tasmanian ones are larger (males up to 3 kg/6.5 lbs).
  • Platypuses are much smaller than most people expect—think small kitten rather than otter or beaver sized.
    [06:25]

• Captive platypuses are rare; only a few zoos worldwide house them due to their challenging breeding and care requirements.

  • San Diego Safari Park has a pair of "platypus expats" on a reversed schedule.

Habitat, Diet, and Sensory Superpowers

• Platypuses prefer rivers and creeks along Australia's east coast, foraging in 1–5 meter depths.

  • "They can hold their breath for around two minutes, up to ten if threatened." [10:37]

• Foraging with Their Faces:

  • Platypuses close their eyes and ears underwater and hunt prey using 50,000 electroreceptors and mechanoreceptors in their soft, rubbery bills.
  • "They're able to detect electrical signals from prey's muscle contractions."
    [11:32, 12:13]

• The bill is not like a duck's beak—it's soft, malleable, and rubbery, packed with sensors.
  [13:31]

Anatomy Oddities

• Egg-Laying Mammal with a Cloaca:

  • Platypuses are monotremes, laying eggs and having a single opening (cloaca) for excretion and reproduction (both sexes).
  • Males have a bifurcated, barbed penis; evolutionary purpose is speculative, likely helps with mating in water.
    [14:51–17:45]

• Inside the mouth are keratinized grinding pads, not teeth.
  [14:08]

• Platypus fur is exceptionally soft and water-resistant, nearly as dense as otter fur.

  • "Especially their bellies—really soft."
    [33:50]

• The tail is flat, hairy/bristly on top, and hairless underneath—"like a shitty brown doormat."
  [35:04]

• Platypus feet are webbed for swimming, but the webbing folds back to reveal digging claws—"like a pocket knife."
  [23:24]

Reproduction & Development

• Females build intricate nesting burrows in riverbanks, lay small eggs, and nurse "puggles" (baby platypuses).

  • "Puggles" hatch in about 10 days, jelly-bean-sized, very undeveloped, and nursed by lapping milk secreted from the mother's skin.
    [18:49, 22:39, 42:28]

• No pouch—babies grow in burrows for about 3 months and emerge 70–80% adult size; mother will sometimes “change the locks” and kick them out when they overstay.
  [50:41]

Social & Behavioral Insights

• Platypuses are generally solitary, but recent studies suggest high-density areas may have “platypus condo” burrows (multiple females co-housing). [20:16]

• Platypuses are nocturnal, but can sometimes be seen at dawn/dusk, especially during breeding season.
  [24:06]

• Personalities vary: some individuals are inquisitive; others shy or feisty.

  • "Some are quite playful, others want nothing to do with you."
    [59:35]

• They are energetically busy animals—can forage up to 16 hours and travel over 15km a day.
  [61:15]

Platypus Venom & Defenses

• Male platypuses have venomous ankle spurs, which can deliver excruciating pain.
  • "No antivenom, morphine won’t help, pain can last months or even years." [51:37]
  • Primarily used in male-male combat during breeding season. Females lose their vestigial spurs as adults.
    [53:03]

Conservation, Threats, and How to Help

• Platypus numbers are hard to estimate but likely declining due to:

  • River regulation, habitat loss, introduced predators (foxes, cats), droughts/floods, bushfires, pollution (pharmaceuticals, PFAS, microplastics).
  • "They're not currently listed as threatened, but we’re fighting for it.”
    [64:52, 67:39]

• How to Help:

  • Report sightings (Platypus Watch), reduce river rubbish, cut up circular trash, remove fishing lines, participate in riverbank cleaning and re-vegetation.
    [68:58]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Platypus Bill:
  "The bill is actually very soft on a platypus. It's almost like malleable, like you can bend it. It's very rubbery. And that's just because it's so sensitive..."
  – Dr. Haack, 13:31

• On Platypus Venom:
  "The venom is said to be the most excruciating pain known to man. There's no anti-venom, morphine won't help. You're gonna pass out from the pain and could be in pain for months."
  – Dr. Haack, 51:37

• On Platypus Eggs/Milk:
  "Platypuses don't have any nipples, but they still produce milk for their young. She just excretes milk through her skin and the babies lap it up from her stomach. Very weird system."
  – Dr. Haack, 42:28

• On Platypus Conservation:
  "We don't want to end up in a situation where they become too far gone, and we try to enact any conservation management and...they're beyond that point of no return."
  – Dr. Haack, 66:27

• On Platypus Personality:
  "Some are quite inquisitive...they might pop up and down, be quite playful. Others have more shy tendencies...they might dive and immediately swim away."
  – Dr. Haack, 59:35

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Name, Species, and Size – 04:31–07:00
• Captive Platypuses: Why Rare? – 07:18–09:08
• Habitat and Diving Abilities – 10:03–11:08
• Electroreception & Bill Anatomy – 11:32–13:31
• Reproduction: Cloaca, Barbed Penis, Eggs – 14:51–18:48
• Burrows: Structures and Communal Living – 19:26–22:39
• Fieldwork & Platypus Handling – 24:06–28:22
• Platypus Smell – 28:28–29:13
• Venom & Spur Mechanics – 51:37–54:52
• Conservation Status/Actions – 64:52–70:39

Fun Facts & Listener Questions

• Why do platypuses glow under UV light?

  • They do! Theories abound, but the reason remains unknown. This was discovered only in recent years. [62:52]

• Do they make sounds?

  • Not really—occasional grunts, squeaks, or snoring if waking from anesthesia. [63:57]

• Pop culture:

  • Perry the Platypus (from Phineas & Ferb) is mentioned; real platypuses are not teal, nor wear fedoras, but their secretiveness and double lives track.

Conservation Actions Encouraged

• Report platypus sightings (Platypus Watch)
• Remove rubbish, especially circular items, from waterways
• Join habitat restoration/community groups
• Support research & initiatives such as the Platypus Conservation Initiative

Closing Thoughts

Dr. Haack expresses deep love for platypus research:
"I love getting people excited about platypus...it really inspires them to make on-ground change..."
[72:41]

Alie encapsulates the magic of the platypus:
"Flip-flopping platypus in the creek in my backyard—I’d lose my mind."
[73:27]

For more info:

• Platypus Conservation Initiative
• Dr. Tahneal Haack’s research
• Ologies Smologies (kid-friendly episodes)
• Ologies Patreon/Merch

For Those Who Want to Experience the Platypus...

• Best chance for wild spotting:
  • Visit Tasmania’s river systems, sit quietly at dawn or dusk by a slow-moving pool. Have patience, and remember: it may be hard for locals to spot them even once in a lifetime! [56:16]

“They have all these incredible features...I think they’re amazing. And like I said before, you know, it’s a privilege to be able to work with them.”
– Dr. Tahneal Haack, [62:13]