The Platypus closes its eyes and ears when hunting, relying on its bill to detect prey instead. When foraging, platypuses use their bill to detect and dig in the mud for prey. They use their thick, rubbery lips to grasp insect larvae and small fish when capturing live prey. The Platypus feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, small fish, and frogs. They dig burrows in riverbanks for shelter and protection from land predators like foxes and owls and those in the water like crocodiles and sharks. Platypuses are largely nocturnal (active mainly at night) except when breeding when they become more active during daylight hours in the summer months. Where do they live, and what do they eat? Except for the Platypus and its extinct tailed ancestors, only two venomous mammals still exist today: electric eels and cone snails. The venomous nature of the Platypus makes it unique among mammals and other vertebrates. If stepped on or handled incorrectly, they can deliver an excruciatingly painful wound to humans. However, the pain from the wound will be excruciating and long-lasting and leave a higher sensitivity to pain for several days or weeks.Ī platypus’ ankle spurs are used mainly for defense. The amount of venom injected is enough to kill a small animal but not lethal to humans. Their ankle spur is a modified hind limb differentiated from the foot unlike echidnas, this spur contains venomous neuro-toxic or neurotoxin (a poison that affects the nervous system) protein that produces severe pain and swelling.

Only the male’s back ankles are venomous. Platypuses are born with ankle spurs, which have a venom gland on top and crural glands beneath it. The Platypus is the only extant representative of its clade. As with any other living animal, the Platypus has significantly evolved since this time. Based on fossils, scientists think that the present-day platypus’ ancestors were the first mammals that developed from reptiles around 165 million years ago during the Jurassic Period, which would explain why they lay eggs (like reptiles). The Platypus is an ancient animal whose fossilized remains are about 40 million years old. Like birds, they also have horny egg-tooth ridges on the upper and lower edges of the bill. On the other hand, platypuses lay eggs instead of giving live births like reptiles and birds. Platypuses are mammals because they produce milk to feed their young and have hair covering most of their bodies. Why is the Platypus a mammal if it lays eggs? The Platypus and two species of echidna (or spiny anteater) are Australia’s only known monotremes-all other mammals are marsupials or placentals (creatures with pouches for carrying their young). Like reptiles, they lay hard-shelled eggs in amniotic sacs that keep the embryo warm until it is ready to hatch out of the egg. Monotrem es are mammals with reptilian characteristics. The Platypus belongs to the monotreme class. Like other mammals, the Platypus has teats on its body to nurse its youth after hatching. Instead, their tail is flat and broad, similar to a beaver, which they use for swimming. Platypuses do not have external ear flaps. The bill looks like a duck’s bill, but instead of teeth, it feels like a rubber band. Platypuses come out only at night or dusk from burrows dug into river banks with strong front claws for protection against predators such as snakes or native dogs. Females are smaller than males, and their young weigh less when they are born. Their body length is usually between 12-15 inches (30-38cm) from head to tail. The average adult platypus weighs about 2 pounds (1kg) and measures 19 inches (48cm). Instead, it uses horny pads to grind up food.

The mouth looks like that of a duckbill platypus, but it has no teeth on the inside. It’s a close relative of echidnas, differing mainly in shorter beak and webbed feet. It’s also one of the few egg-laying mammals, and on top, it has poisonous ankle spurs. It has unique features among mammals, such as its bill and feet. The Platypus is a semi-aquatic egg-laying mammal found in eastern Australia, including Tasmania. The Platypus – The Poisonous Mammal That Lays Eggs

Platypus eggs