Does the platypus have any unique body features which are used for a particular purpose?

Answer 1

Yes. The platypus has several unique body features which are used for specific purposes.

• They have webbed feet with a retracting webbed membrane which can expose the claws, enabling the platypus to effectively dig burrows. Its claws are used for digging burrows into riverbanks for shelter, and the webbing membrane retracts for that purpose, but spreads between its toes when it needs to swim - which it needs to do to get its food.
• It is an unusual mammal in that it has a bill. Its bill 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. It does not have teeth, but hard bony plates which it uses to grind the food.
• The platypus is a semi-aquatic animal, with thick, waterproof fur.
• It has a flat, beaver-like tail which acts as a rudder
• 2 eye lids for protection
• Males have venomous spurs on their hind legs which are theorised as being used to harm or kill predators
• The liver gets rid of water but stores fat

Answer 2

Besides the obvious difference in appearance, the female platypus lays eggs and feeds the hatched offspring with milk from mammary glands, that is lapped from her skin, as she has no teats. Human females give birth to live young and nurse them with milk from their mammary glands, which have nipples on which the babies suckle. The male platypus has a venomous spur on the hind feet. The platypus is the only venomous mammal.

Answer 3

• Platypuses have a tail, which humans do not.
• Platypuses have claws, and retractable webbing between their claws.
• Platypuses have a bill equipped with the sense of electroreception.