Having Her Tummy Scratched Sends Platypus Into Fits Of Tickle

Adorable footage has emerged of a little baby platypus having her tummy scratched giving her happy tickles. Footage shows a platypus splashing around in the water and enjoying a good tickle at Healesville Sanctuary, in Australia on October 13, 2013.

Filmmaker had a rare chance to visit a friendly platypus and says that petting a platypus is a unique sensation, her fur is soft and her beak is rubbery. Fortunately this one was a female platypus, because male ones are believed to have venomous spurs. She was so excited to be around humans, to be tickled, scratched, and eat from their hands, that made up for a wonderful encounter.

The platypus is an iconic symbol of Australia and is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. The animals are one of five species of mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth. It is also one of the few venomous mammals, with the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans.

Watch the playful behaviour of a platypus reacting to human touch. The platypus is seen lying on its back in the water, enjoying having her tummy scratched. The happy creature, rolled over and indulgently demanded more tummy scratches, to which she responded accordingly, with a tinglish sensation.

The mammal is seen flicking its feet in pure joy as it lies in the water having its tummy scratched. The visitor recorded their heart-warming experience at the Healesville Sanctuary in Australia featuring a beautiful platypus playing in the water and receiving belly rubs resulting in tickling sensations. She was so friendly that she ate food right out of visitor’s hand! Amazing!