Platypus

 

Animal Unique | Platypus | The platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of Echidna, is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of the birth of live pups. They live aside freshwater rivers and lakes, and make dens for shelter and protection. Until the early 20th century, it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout the range. Although the breeding programs have limited success and the Platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not an immediate threat.

 

 

Scientific classification
Kingdom:     Animalia
Phylum:     Chordata
Class:     Mammalia
Order:     Monotremata
Family:     Ornithorhynchidae
Genus:     Ornithorhynchus
Blumenbach, 1800
Species:     O. anatinus

The body and the broad, flat tail of the platypus are covered with dense brown fur that traps a layer of insulating air to keep the animal warm. The coat is waterproof, and the texture is akin to that of a mole. The platypus uses its tail to store fat reserves. t has webbed feet and a large, rubbery snout, these are features you closer to that of a duck than to those of all known mammal. The band is more significant on the front feet and is folded back when walking on land. The nostrils are located on the dorsal surface of the snout while the eyes and ears are in a groove set just back from, this groove is closed when swimming. Platypuses have heard a low growl when disturbed and emit a series of other sounds have been reported in captive specimens. 

 

While both male and female platypuses are born with only traces, only the male has spurs, which produce a cocktail of poison. Although powerful enough for small animals such as dogs to kill the poison is not deadly to humans, but is so terrible that the victim may be incapacitated. The poison seems to have a different function than that produced by non-mammalian species: the effects are not life threatening to humans, yet powerful enough to seriously impair the victim. Since only males produce poison and production rises during the breeding season, it can be used as an offensive weapon to assert dominance during this period.

Male platypus are larger than the female. They re-product by mating which occurs once a year, from June to October. The female lays between 2 to 4 eggs and incubates them for a period of two weeks. As a young platypus is born, they feed on mother's milk. The dam separates the milk from large glands under the skin, the young platypus feed of milk leading to the mothers fur. 

 

The male platypus has poison strong enough to kill a small dog, or excruciating pain in humans. Because only the male platypus has poisonous spores, and the gland peaks during mating season, many people suggest that is normally used in aggressive encounters between other male platypus. A baby platypus is not called a Puggle, which seems to be a common misconception. There is no official name for a baby platypus, but a common suggested name is "platypup".

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