What is the platypus's special ability?

Answer 1

A platypus can do many unique things compared to other animals.

To catch their under water food, their ears and eyes shut. The bill of a platypus has sensitive electroreceptors which pick up tiny nerve and electrical impulses generated by crustaceans and other animals that inhabit the bottom of the creek or river. The platypus then uses its bill to shovel away the dirt, and find the food.

Platypuses are born with a spur on the inside of each hind leg. However the female's falls off after the first year, while the male's spur is attached to a venomous gland in its thigh. It is not known what function this spur serves, but it is believed that the male's spur is used when it competes for territory or for a mate. It is also used for self-defence against predators.

Platypuses spend a great deal of time in the water, making hundreds of dives each day while they hunt for food. They are effective swimmers and divers, and they have webbed feet to enable then to swim strongly underwater while they hunt.

The webbing on a platypus's feet is retractable. This means that the webbing actually pulls back to expose the claws so that the platypus can dig its burrow in the riverbank or creek bank. The platypus is able to dig a burrow that may extend over 30 metres (100 feet) into the riverbank.

Answer 2

The platypus has a special ability, or sense, of electroreception. On the platypus's bill are electroreceptors which can detect tiny electrical impulses made by crustaceans and other invertebrates which live at the bottom of creeks and rivers. Platypuses do not hunt may sight, but by using these electroreceptors.

Answer 3

A platypus's strength is its ability to swim and dive.