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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
If you mean the "platypus," no, it is not a bird. It is a mammal.
Where do the duck billed platypuses live?
There is no such species as a platypus fish. There is just the platypus, an egg-laying mammal endemic to the eastern states of Australia.
What is your experience as a young mother of four kids and your advise for young mothers?
How many kids do young joc have?
Do platypuses live in water permanently?
Platypuses do not live in water at all. They hunt for their food in water, but they do not live in the water. They dig burrows above the waterline in the banks of freshwater creeks and rivers, which remain dry (unless the river floods).
The platypus was first thought to be a hoax, comprised of a duck's beak sewn into the body of a beaver.
Why is the platypus the emblem of nsw?
The platypus is the emblem of New South Wales (NSW) due to its unique characteristics and significance to Australian wildlife. As a monotreme, the platypus is one of the few egg-laying mammals, showcasing the country's distinct biodiversity. Additionally, it symbolizes the natural heritage of NSW, reflecting the importance of conservation and the region's ecological identity. Its quirky appearance and fascinating behavior have made it an iconic representation of Australia.
Are birds the only mammals that lay eggs?
Birds are not mammals. They are in their own category, which is "Birds".
The only two egg-laying mammals are the platypus and the echidna, which are classified as monotremes.
Yes, they are an egg-laying mammal.
A platypus is indeed an example of a monotreme. Though it is a mammal it lays eggs rather than giving birth.
Are platypuses the only mammal that has a flat bill?
Yes. The platypus is the only mammal with a bill of any sort.
A male platypus can grow to 50-60 cm in length, whilst the female is smaller, averaging 40-50 cm in length. They are very lightly built creatures, with females weighing as little as 900 grams, and males 1700 grams to 2kg.
What makes a platypus a platypus?
The platypus has a number of unique characteristics which set it apart from other animals. It has:
- 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 lays eggs (as does the echidna), unlike other mammals. However, it secretes mothers' milk through glands, rather than teats, on which the young feed after hatching.
- It has a flat tail which acts as a rudder
- Males have venomous spurs on their hind legs.
Do adults platypus leave or stay with babies?
Adult platypuses do not stay with their young after they are born. Female platypuses care for their eggs by incubating them in a burrow and nursing the hatchlings for a short period. Once the young are weaned, they become independent and leave the burrow to fend for themselves. Male platypuses do not participate in parenting duties at all.
Can breast milk from another mother be given to a baby whose mother is sick?
Certainly! Up until our recent modern times, this was a common practice. As along as the mother giving the baby breast milk is healthy, one mother giving her milk to another child, presents no problem. While of course the best nutritional value comes from the baby's mother as her milk will naturally change as the baby's needs change, any breast milk is better than formula.
What does the platypus's cloaca do?
The cloaca is the external opening from the platypus's body, for both waste elimination and for reproduction. The cloaca leads to the urinary, faecal and reproductive tracks, all of which join internally, and it is the orifice by which the female montreme lays her eggs.
Do platypuses hibernate or migrate?
Platypuses neither hibernate nor migrate. They are active throughout the year, and they tend to stay by their home pond, creek or river as long as there is sufficient food and water.
No Australian native animals migrate (though some are nomadic), and only the mountain pygmy possums of Australia's alpine regions hibernate.
What two placental mammals lay eggs?
There are no placental mammals which lay eggs.
The only two egg-laying mammals in existence are the platypus and the echidna, which are classed as monotremes.They are still classified as mammals because they feed their young on mothers' milk - a characteristic unique to mammals alone.
Can a platypus really be the size of a limabean?
When platypuses first hatch they are indeed about the size of a bean.
Why is platypus fast in water?
The platypus is fast in water due to its streamlined body and webbed feet, which act like paddles, allowing for efficient movement. Its strong muscles provide powerful propulsion, while its flexible tail aids in steering. Additionally, its ability to close its eyes, ears, and nostrils while submerged reduces drag and enhances its swimming speed. These adaptations make the platypus a proficient swimmer in its aquatic habitat.
Does the platypus have webbed feet?
Yes. Platypuses have webbed feet to give them more control when they are swimming. Platypuses spend a great deal of time in the water, diving and hunting for food, and webbed feet 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.
