Duck-billed platypus

Made by Mohamed ElebiaryUniversity of Massachusetts

Boston

Duck-Billed platypusDuck-Billed Platypus are also known as: Platypus Duck BillWatermole Duckmole

Definition:is a semiaquatic egg-laying mammal. he only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth

Platypus is Latin derived from the Greek words "Platys" and "Pous" meaning "Flat Foot"

classificationDomain: EukaryaKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: MammaliaOrder: MonotremataFamily: ornithorhynchidae

Genus: Ornithorhynchus

Species: O. anatinus

Latin Name Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Conservation Status Least Concern

movement knuckling 30% _ swimming

Colour Brown

Length 40 - 60 cms (16 - 23.5 inches)

Tail 8.5 - 15 cms (3.25 - 6 inches)

Weight 0.8 - 2.5 Kgs (1.75 - 5.5 lbs)

Life Expectancy 10 Yrs (Wild)17 Yrs (in Captivity)

Overview

LOCATION• Eastern Australia• Tasmania• They live near

freshwater lakes and rivers.

HabitatDuck-Billed Platypuses are found in the lakes, streams and rivers. They build their burrows in banks, with theentrance being approximately 30 cms (12 inches)above the surface of the water._They have territories of up to 7 kms (4.4 miles) and the territory of a male will overlap withthe territories of 3 - 4 females.

SIZE AND COLOR• Body is 14 inches long• Tail is 5 inches long• Males are usually

slightly larger than females.

• it weighs about 3 lbs

• has a fur it`s Colors vary from yellowish to dark brown.

FOODThey are (carnivore).they eat primarily aquatic invertebrates in streams and lakesWorms.Fish. Tadpoles. Frogs. Crustaceans.

20%_ 12hrshuman _snakes_large fish

AdaptationThe platypus is a highly unusual animal for a number of reasons :1_ It is one of only two mammals to lay eggs (the other being the echidna).2_ it is one of only two species of mammal capable of envenomating (the other being the shrew) and it has a beak. It is highly adapted in a number of other ways, too, and is truly a strange product of its environment.

AdaptationEgg LayingEgg laying mammals are called monotremes, and there are only five species that do so -- four of which are echidna. Little fossil evidence of monotremes exists, but scientists believe that before evolving to deliver live young, most mammals laid eggs. In that regard, the platypus is a historic relic.

Poison Spur Male platypuses have a spur on each foot, from which they can deliver a venomous sting. This capacity to deliver poison is extremely rare for mammals. Shrews are capable of doing it, too, but the platypus is the only creature on Earth to have a venomous spur.

AdaptationDuck BillThis feature enable the platypus to hear and breathe while diving for prey.It is remarkably similar to a duck’s bill, hence the name, but it most likely evolved independently of the duck, despite this similarity.

Strong ClawsAs well as being good at swimming, platypodes are good diggers. They have adapted to have strong, shovel-like claws that enable them to move and disturb thick, heavy soil and mud. They dig in order to burrow. This is especially important for females, who use a nesting burrow for raising their young.

AdaptationFat TailThe platypus tail is fat and flat. Its flatness assists with swimming,functioning almost like a rudder. But the tail is also a fat store. this adaptation is especially important for females, who require stores of fat for nesting in their burrow. However, males store fat as well, for periods when they are unable to find food.

Webbed FeetPlatypuses have evolved to have webbed feet. The webs enable them to swim more efficiently and move around on soft,muddy surfaces with ease. The front feet are fully webbed, the hind feet are only partially webbed.

duck billed platypus life cycle-How the platypus finds a mate is the male produces a musky odor during the

breeding season.

~It reproduces by laying eggs, which hatch into young platypuses that initially

feed off of mother's milk.

~The gestation period for a platypus is 2-3 weeks.

~The platypuses take care of their young by feeding them their mother's milk

which is secreted from her pores and collects on grooves in her abdomen.

~The offspring leaves the burrow and their parents when they reach

approximately 4 months old.

The life cycle of platypus

Babies• Females usually lay two soft, leathery eggs

but may lay up to four.• She clasps the eggs against her abdomen with

her tail for about two weeks.• Milk is produced by glands under mother’s

skin, and the baby licks milk from her fur.

A fact: There is a higher proportion of spur wounds in males than females, which may be explained by aggressive encounters between males during mating season.

Their Features• Have no fur• Blind for about two months• Have teeth for a short time• Helpless

Relationship to humanPlatypuses are shy animals which avoid contact with humans as much as possible. Humans have had considerable impact on platypuses in the past, such as killing platypuses for their fur, or using fishing nets in rivers which caused entangled platypuses to drown as they could not come to the surface to breathe.However, now the platypus is a protected native species. They are elusive creatures, rarely even studied by scientists, as research can be too intrusive in their environment.

Interesting facts 1. It Was Believed to Be a Hoax Animal.

2. Females Produce Milk Like Sweat.

3. It Has No Stomach, No Teeth.

4. It Shares Certain Bone Structures with Reptiles.

5. It Has Awesome Fur — Not Always a Good Thing.

6. It Stores Fat in Its Tail.

7. The Plural War.

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