Critter Intros: Platypus

• Common Name: Platypus

• Scientific Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus

• Conservation Status: Near Threatened

• Habitat: Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes in eastern Australia and Tasmania

• Size: Up to 24.8 inches (63 cm) long (including tail) and 6.6 lbs (3 kg)

  
  

The platypus is one of the world's most extraordinary and unique mammals, instantly recognizable by its duck-like bill, beaver-like tail, and otter-like feet. Along with echidnas, it belongs to a rare group of mammals called monotremes, which are the only mammals that lay eggs. This semi-aquatic creature is incredibly adapted to its watery home, with dense, waterproof fur, webbed feet for propulsion, and a flattened body that allows it to glide through the water.

What truly sets the platypus apart is its highly sensitive bill. While underwater, with its eyes, ears, and nostrils closed, the platypus uses electroreceptors in its bill to detect the faint electrical impulses generated by the muscle contractions of its prey, such as insect larvae, worms, and small crustaceans. Males also possess a unique feature: a venomous spur on their hind legs, which they use for defense and during territorial disputes. This combination of bizarre and specialized traits makes the platypus a living enigma that continues to fascinate scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.

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