The platypus is one of the most remarkable of all mammals. It has a “bill” like a duck's, webbed feet, and a flat tail like a beaver's. The first information about the animal reached Europe at about the end of the 18th century. Scientists in Australia sent stuffed platypuses to England. The English scientists thought the strange animals had to be fakes, made by sticking together bits of different animals. The Australian scientists then sent over a live platypus, whose existence could not be doubted. The platypus is the only member of its scientific family. Although the platypus is a mammal, it lays eggs. The only other egg-laying mammals in the world are the echidnas. The platypus was named for its unusual feet. The word platypus comes from the Greek words for “broad” and “foot.” The animal is sometimes called duckbill. Its scientific name is Ornithorhyncus anatinus. Where platypuses livePlatypuses are found only in eastern and southern Australia and in Tasmania. The animals live in freshwater streams and lakes but are also active on land. They dig winding burrows into banks along the water. The burrows are usually 15 to 30 feet (5 to 10 meters) long but may reach 100 feet (30 meters). The platypus rests during the day in its burrow and feeds at night. It finds its food chiefly at the bottom of rivers and lakes. It has an enormous appetite. It consumes nearly its own weight daily in insects, worms, crustaceans, mollusks, and tadpoles. Form and structureThe platypus has a squat body and short, splayed legs. The body is about 14 inches (36 centimeters) long, and the tail is roughly 5 inches (13 centimeters) long. The male platypus tends to be larger than the female. The platypus is well adapted to its watery habitat. Its shape is somewhat like a torpedo's. Its strong front limbs help it to swim and to dig. The flat tail and webbed back feet act as stabilizers and rudders in the water. The webbed front feet serve as paddles. The platypus has no external ears, only openings to the inner ears. The eyes are small. A fold of skin closes over the eyes and ears when the animal is underwater. Thus, the platypus can neither see nor hear when submerged. It must depend on its rubbery, sensitive snout to uncover food. The platypus' snout is sensitive to touch and to electric currents. This may help it detect electrical fields produced by its prey. Adult platypuses do not have teeth. Instead, they use flat pads of hardened gum tissue for chewing. The fur on the back half of the body is dark to light brown, with lighter fur on the underside. It has small patches of white fur under the eyes. The fur is thick and waterproof. Long, coarse hairs protect the soft underfur. The underfur traps air and keeps the animal well insulated. Unlike most mammals, the platypus is venomous. The male of the species has a poison spur on each hind foot. The platypus probably uses them to fight other males in order to protect its territory or to secure a mate. Reproduction and growthPlatypuses are shy and solitary animals. Male and female platypuses avoid each other except during the mating season. The female digs a long, twisting breeding burrow. About two weeks after mating, the female lays one to three eggs in a nest inside the burrow. The baby platypuses hatch about 10 to 12 days later. Each tiny platypus is born blind and hairless. The young stop nursing about four months after hatching. Platypuses probably live for 10–15 years or more. Their natural enemies are big fish and, perhaps, snakes. Once hunted for their fur, they are now protected by law. |