answersLogoWhite

0

Platypuses

One of Australia's most unique and unusual native animals, the platypus is an egg-laying mammal which lives on land and hunts for food in the freshwater creeks and rivers of eastern Australia. Once incorrectly thought to be the most primitive mammal, it is now regarded as a superb example of adaptation. Questions and answers about platypuses can be found here.

996 Questions

What skin do platypus have?

Platypuses have a unique skin that is covered in dense, waterproof fur, which helps them maintain body temperature in cold water. Their skin is also smooth and has a layer of fat underneath, providing insulation. Unlike many mammals, platypuses do not have nipples; instead, they secrete milk through openings in their skin, which the young lap up from the surface. Additionally, their skin is sensitive and equipped with electroreceptors, allowing them to detect electrical signals from prey in the water.

What is the hearing frequency of a platypus?

The hearing frequency of a platypus ranges from about 1 kHz to 3 kHz. They have sensitive hearing adapted for detecting prey, especially in aquatic environments. Unlike many mammals, they are more attuned to lower frequencies, which aids in locating sounds made by their prey underwater.

How do platypus retract there webbing?

Platypuses have webbed feet that help them swim efficiently, but they can retract the webbing while on land. This is achieved through a system of muscles and tendons that pull the skin between their toes, allowing the claws to be exposed for digging or walking. When they are in the water, the webbing extends to aid in swimming, and when they are on land, the webbing can be drawn back to enhance traction. This unique ability is one of the many adaptations that make the platypus a fascinating creature.

Silky cat-shaped mammal with beautiful spots fur is grey or brown unusual scent?

It sounds like you are describing the serval, a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa. Servals have a distinctive coat with beautiful spots and stripes, typically in shades of golden or brown. They are known for their long legs and large ears, which help them hear prey from a distance. Additionally, servals have a unique scent that can be described as musky, which they use for communication and marking territory.

How are the muskrat and Australian platypus similar or different?

The muskrat and the Australian platypus are both semi-aquatic mammals, but they belong to different taxonomic groups and have distinct characteristics. Muskrats are rodents, primarily found in North America, and are known for their long tails and dense fur. In contrast, the platypus is a monotreme, native to Australia, and is unique for its egg-laying abilities and distinctive features, such as a duck-like bill and webbed feet. While both species inhabit aquatic environments, their evolutionary backgrounds and physical traits highlight significant differences.

What color is a platypus?

A platypus has dark brown fur over most of its body, with a grey undercoat. Its belly is gold-coloured or silky grey.

Its feet are dark brown to black, and its bill is a slate grey colour.

What does the platypus's stinger do?

Oh, dude, the platypus's stinger is actually not a stinger at all. It's more like a spur located on the hind legs of males that can deliver venom. So, it's not really for stinging like a bee or a scorpion, but more for defending territory and competing with other males. It's like nature's way of saying, "Back off, bro."

What is the IQ number for a Platypus?

The average IG for a Platypus would be 100. This is as the IQ test would have to be developed specifically for such an animal and the average should allways be 100 with a standard deviation either side of that average.

Does the platypus eat eels?

Oh, what a fascinating question! Platypuses mostly feed on insects, shellfish, and small fish they find in rivers and streams. While they may occasionally come across an eel in their habitat, it's not a significant part of their diet. Nature always provides a variety of foods for each creature to enjoy!

Is a platypuses offspring diverse or uniform?

Well, isn't that just a happy little question! A platypus's offspring can actually be quite diverse. Each baby platypus can have unique traits, like different markings or sizes, just like how every painting you create has its own special touch. It's all part of the beautiful diversity of nature, my friend.

How much does a baby platypus cost?

Baby platypuses are not typically sold as pets, as they are a protected species in their native Australia. In addition, platypuses are difficult to breed and require specialized care due to their unique biology and habitat requirements. Therefore, it is illegal and unethical to buy or sell a baby platypus.

What is the biggest monotreme?

The largest extant monotreme (egg-bearing mammal) is the western long-beaked echidna

When the platypus is born do its parents take care of it?

Platypuses are not born; they are hatched, as the platypus is one of just two types of egg-laying mammals.

The female platypus takes very good care of its young for several months until they are weaned. The young sometimes stay with the mother as a family group until the next breeding season.

Is a platypus a carnivore or herbivore or an omnivore?

Platypuses are carnivores. They are predators; they eat small water animals such as aquatic insect larvae of caddisflies, mayflies and two-winged flies, fresh water shrimp, annelid worms, yabbies and crayfish

Why are mammals considered to be amniotes even though most mammals do not produce an amniotic egg?

Mammals are considered amniotes because they share a common ancestor with reptiles and birds, which do produce amniotic eggs. While most mammals do not lay eggs, they still develop within an amniotic sac in the uterus. The presence of extraembryonic membranes, such as the amnion, allantois, and chorion, during embryonic development in mammals is a key characteristic that aligns them with other amniotes.

How do platypuses cool down?

Platypuses cool down by burrowing into the cool, moist soil near streams or rivers. They may also swim in the water to lower their body temperature, as their large webbed feet help them to swim efficiently. Additionally, platypuses may lick their own body to spread saliva, which can help in thermoregulation.

How fat can a platypus get?

Platypuses do not get fat. They are active, streamlined animals. Their tail, on the other hand, stores fat. A platypus stores most of its body fat in its tail to help it survive when food is limited, and to prepare for when the female must incubate her eggs and care for the young when they hatch.

How has climate change affected the platypus?

At this stage, climate change has had little effect upon the platypus. These animals live next to creeks and rivers in bushland and rainforests, and their waterways are more likely to be affected by man's activities such as habitat clearing and the introduction of non-native species. However, as wild weather patterns become more frequent with the natural cycle of climate change, this will affect the platypus. Widespread flooding alternating with years of drought will have an impact on the platypus's survival.

Where do platypus hide when there is a bush fire?

Platypuses shelter in burrows they dig in riverbanks. They would be relatively safe in a normal bushfire, but there is a chance that they could suffer in a raging inferno, which is how intense some bushfires become.

Is a platypus a diurnal or nocturnal feeder?

The platypus is a primarily nocturnal feeder, using electroreception to detect prey in the water at night. It hunts for aquatic invertebrates, such as insects, worms, and crustaceans, during the darkness of night.

Can a platypus live forever outside of water?

No, a platypus cannot live forever outside of water. They require water to regulate their body temperature, search for food, and avoid predators. Platypuses are semi-aquatic animals that spend a significant amount of time in water.

Can a platypus hurt a person?

The male duck-billed platypus has a hollow spur on the inside of each hind leg capable of delivering a venom powerful enough to kill a small animal or cause tremendous pain to larger animals and humans.

For some indication of the level of pain a platypus spurring may cause, see the related question.

How old are the baby platypus before it is full grown?

By the time baby platypuses are two years old they are fully mature.