Weird Animals: Platypus

The Platypus!

The platypus, being an unlikely mix of duck, beaver, and otter, while being a mammal that lays eggs has baffled naturalists for generations.

Classification:

The platypus is a semi aquatic Australian mammal.

Level of endangerment:

They were hunted in the early 20TH century for there fur but is no longer considered an endangered species

Population:

The population of the platypus is unknown, although the platypus is common throughout its original range, with the exception of South Australia its abundance is not easily measured. An introduced population is present on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia.

Habitat:

The platypus inhabits streams and rivers throughout the highlands of Tasmania, the Australian Alps, Queensland’s tropical rainforests and also parts of Australia as far north as the Cape York Peninsula. It once inhabited other parts of Australia as well but because of poor water quality, pollution and deforestation the population there has been reduce.

Food:

Platypuses mostly hunt underwater. There main dietary intake consists of yabbies(various insect larvae), shrimp, crayfish, earth worms, meal worms, May flies, dragonflies, mussels, trout eggs, frog eggs, tadpoles, small frogs and fish.

Unique Habitats:

The platypus displays a unique form of breeding for a mammal; it is one of 2 animals that lay eggs instead of giving live birth while still feeding its young milk. The mother usually gives birth to two eggs and by holding them between her tail and body keeps them warm for around 10 days before they hatch. At this stage they are as big as Lima beans are completely helpless, it will take another three to four months of the mother platypus’s care before the babies are able to swim on there own.

Platypuses swim gracefully by paddling with their front webbed feet and steering with their hind feet and beaver like tail. Folds of skin cover their eyes and ears to prevent water from entering, and the nostrils close with a watertight seal. In this posture, a platypus can remain submerged for a minute or two and employ its sensitive bill to find food. Interesting facts

Extra information:

They are known to be a timid creature with excellent swimming and diving abilities. You will find the most unique features of this animal is the body structure. Duck-Billed Platypuses have one of the lowest body temperatures of any mammal, being around 30°c while there bill on the end of their face is an extended snout that is covered with receptive nerve endings. The platypus eats during the night hours and can eat its own body weight in food during one night. The male platypus contains venomous ankle spurs that are located on its forelegs. The venom produced is non-lethal to humans, but is capable of inflicting a painful wound. The affected area becomes edematous and in some cases, long-term hyperalgesia can result. According to deposits found in New South Wales, ancestors of the platypus can be dated back to approximately 110 million years ago.