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The platypus uses its bill to find food. It closes its eyes when underwater, and uses its bill to detect movements. Equipped with electroreceptors, the sensitive bill can sense electrical impulses, even the tiniest of movements made by underwater crustaceans.

The bill is also used to shovel up the soil on the bottom of the river or creek in order to find the food. Once found, the platypus uses grinding plates in its bill, rather than teeth, to crush the food before eating it.

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14y ago
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14y ago

The platypus's bill is covered with thousands of tiny electroreceptor cells, which enable it to detect the electrical impulses of tiny water-dwelling creatures. Once detected, the platypus then uses its bill to shovel the mud and get to the creatures, which form its main food source.

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13y ago

The platypus's bill has a number of adaptations to help the platypus find its food. The platypus closes its eyes when underwater, and uses its bill to detect movements. Equipped with electroreceptors, the sensitive bill can sense electrical impulses, even the tiniest of movements made by underwater crustaceans.

The bill is also used to shovel up the soil on the bottom of the river or creek in order to find the food. Once found, the platypus uses grinding plates in its bill, rather than teeth, to crush the food before eating it.

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13y ago

The platypus uses its bill to find food in two ways.

1. The platypus closes its eyes when underwater, and uses its bill to detect movements. Equipped with electroreceptors, the sensitive bill can sense electrical impulses, even the tiniest of movements made by underwater crustaceans.

2. The bill is also used to shovel up the soil on the bottom of the river or creek in order to find the food. Once found, the platypus uses grinding plates in its bill, rather than teeth, to crush the food before eating it

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11y ago

The platypus does not have a "duck bill". Its bill is very different from that of a duck's, being broader and flatter, and serving a completely different function.

The platypus uses its bill to find food. It closes its eyes when underwater, and uses its bill to detect movements. Equipped with electroreceptors, the sensitive bill can sense electrical impulses, even the tiniest of movements made by underwater crustaceans.

The bill is also used to shovel up the soil on the bottom of the river or creek in order to find the food. Once found, the platypus uses grinding plates in its bill, rather than teeth, to crush the food before eating it.

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12y ago

The bill of a platypus is vital to its survival. The platypus uses its bill to find food. It closes its eyes when underwater, and uses its bill to detect movements. Equipped with electroreceptors, the sensitive bill can sense electrical impulses, even the tiniest of movements made by underwater crustaceans.

The bill is also used to shovel up the soil on the bottom of the river or creek in order to find the food. Once found, the platypus uses grinding plates in its bill, rather than teeth, to crush the food before eating it.

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12y ago

The platypus's bill is not particularly flexible. The bill of a platypus is equipped with electro-receptors which enable it to find food by locating small crustaceans by the tiny electrical impulses they emit. The platypus digs around in the bottom of creek banks and riverbanks using its bill as a shovel. When it finds its food, it scoops up the food in its bill before crushing it between two bony plates, and then swallowing it.

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12y ago

God made it that way

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Q: What is the function of the bill in a Platypus?
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Related questions

What is a platypus's bill?

a platypus's bill is a bill that is on a platypus


What is Platypus bill?

a platypus's bill is a bill that is on a platypus


What animal in Australia has a bill like a duck?

The duck-billed platypus. However, it must be said that the platypus is not actually called a duck-billed platypus at all. Some may consider that the platypus has a bill like a duck, but the term "duck-billed platypus" is a complete misnomer. Its bill does not look like a duck's bill, being flatter and much broader, and made of a totally different substance; nor does it serve the same function as a duck's bill, having very unique properties such as electroreception.


Where are the nostrils on a platypus?

The platypus's nostrils are on its bill.


What color is a platypus's bill?

The platypus has a dark, slate grey coloured bill.


An egg laying mammal with webbed feet and a bill like a duck?

The platypus is an egg-laying mammal. Some may consider that the platypus has a bill like a duck, but the term "duck-billed platypus" is a complete misnomer. Its bill does not look like a duck's bill, being flatter and much broader, and made of a totally different substance; nor does it serve the same function as a duck's bill, having very unique properties such as electroreception.


How do you describe a platypus's head?

The platypus has a dark brown head with two small eyes. It is unusual because its mouth is a bill. Although many believe the platypus's bill to resemble a duck's bill, it is in fact quite different. The platypus's bill is broader and flatter than a duck's bill.


What mammal has a duck's billswims like a fish and is covered with fur?

A platypus is sometimes regarded as having a bill like a duck, but in fact its bill does not look like a duck's bill, being flatter and much broader, and made of a totally different substance; nor does it serve the same function as a duck's bill, having very unique properties such as electroreception.


What is the the bill beaked platypuses country of origin?

There is no such creature as the bill beaked platypus. The platypus (sometimes called the duckbilled platypus by non-Australians) is indigenous to Australia.


Does a platypus have a snout?

It has a bill


Where can you find a mammal that lays eggs and has a bill like a duck?

The platypus and echidna are both found in Australia, and they are both egg-laying mammals. Some may consider that the platypus has a bill like a duck, but the term "duck-billed platypus" is a complete misnomer. Its bill does not look like a duck's bill, being flatter and much broader, and made of a totally different substance; nor does it serve the same function as a duck's bill, having very unique properties such as electroreception.


What is a platypus's mouth called?

The platypus's mouth is variously referred to as its "bill" or "snout".