Platypus
Platypus

Platypus

Duck-billed platypus, Boondaburra, Mallangong, Tambreet, Tohunbuck

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Subphylum
Vertebrata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Monotremata
Family
Ornithorhynchidae
Genus
Ornithorhynchus
SPECIES
Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
12-20 yrs
TOP SPEED
35 km/h
WEIGHT
0.7-2.4 kg
LENGTH
43-50 cm

The platypus is a most unusual animal. They have thick fur that keeps them warm underwater. Most of their fur is dark brown, with a lighter patch near their eyes, and a lighter color on the underside. On their front feet is extra skin that serves as a paddle when they swim. They walk clumsily on their knuckles in order to protect this webbed skin. Their bill is smooth, flexible and rubbery, and feels like suede. The male features a venomous spike on it back foot which has enough poison to cause severe pain for a human.

No

Nocturnal

Ca

Carnivore

Se

Semiaquatic

Al

Altricial

Fo

Fossorial

Po

Polygynandry

So

Solitary

P

starts with

Photos with Platypus

Platypus photo
Platypus at Barron River
Platypus at Blue Mountains Australia
Tidbinbilla
Platypus

Distribution

Platypuses are found on Eastern and Southeastern coasts of Australia as well as Tasmania, Flinders and King Islands. There is also small introduced population on Kangaroo Island. Platypuses are restricted to streams and suitable freshwater bodies, including some shallow water storage lakes and ponds.

Platypus habitat map

Geography

Continents
Oceania
Countries
Australia
Regions
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria

Biome

Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest
Tropical savanna
Lakes

Climate zones

Temperate
Gold Creek - platypus

Habits and Lifestyle

Platypuses are solitary, particularly males. If their territories overlap, they will feed at different times to avoid each other. They are nocturnal and sleep during the day. They spend much time in water and rarely seen moving on land. They waddle onto the banks of the river to dig burrows, which are tunnels with rooms. They also live under roots, debris or rock ledges. They spend a lot of time hunting for food, up to 10 to 12 hours and remain in their burrows when not hunting.

Lifestyle
Semiaquatic, Altricial, Fossorial

Diet and Nutrition

The platypus is carnivorous, feeding on annelid worms, freshwater shrimp, insect larvae, and freshwater yabby dug out with its snout from the riverbed or caught while swimming. It carries prey to the surface in its cheek-pouches. Each day it needs to eat as much as 20% of its own weight, so each day it must spend about 12 hours hunting for food.

Diet Carnivore

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
Polygynandry
REPRODUCTION SEASON
June-October
PREGNANCY DURATION
10 days
BABY CARRYING
1-2 puggles
INDEPENDENT AGE
4-5 months
BABY NAME
puggle

Platypuses are polygynandrous, and males and females both have several partners. Females can first mate at the age of 2, but some don't until they are 5. The breeding season is between the Australian winter months of June and October. When females are ready to give birth, they burrow into the ground to seal themselves off in one of the rooms. She lays 1 or 2 eggs and keeps them warm between her rump and tail. The eggs hatch after about 10 days. The little bean-sized young remain nursing for 4 to 5 months. They stay in their burrow until they gain about 80 percent of their adult weight, around 6 months.

Platypus Diving
Population Trend
Decreasing
POPULATION STATUS
Near Threatened (NT)
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Population

Population threats

The largest threat is loss of habitat due to land clearance and water pollution. Predators are snakes, goannas, water rats, and foxes.

Population number

The ICUN lists the platypus as a "Least Concern" with decreasing population trend, but actually has very little data about population numbers.

Ecological niche

The platypus, being a carnivore controls the populations of the species that it eats.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • European naturalists first thought the platypus was a hoax, and that someone had sewn together a duck's bill an otter's tail and created an animal like a beaver.
  • The name "platypus" come from the Greek "platys," meaning broad and "pous," which means foot.
  • The platypus can growl like a puppy.
  • The platypus uses its snout to search for prey. Its mouth is under the snout.
  • The platypus uses its tail to store fat, about 50% of its body is a fat.
  • Platypuses use their front feet to paddle and steer with their back feet and tails.

References

1. Platypus Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus
2. Platypus on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/40488/0

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