Duckbill Platypus

Our earth has many unusual animals. They can be unique in their appearance or they can have unique characteristics. There are some animals, who share certain common characteristics, while there are others, who share characteristics from different species of animals. One such animal is the duckbill platypus. These animals inhabit the deciduous forests of Australia. They are majorly found on the eastern coast of Australia and also in Tasmania. It is often included along with the species of echidna. We will read on duckbill platypus facts, but before that we will read about the uniqueness of this semi-aquatic animal.

Uniqueness of Duckbill Platypus

They are the only living species, who belong to the family and genus called Ornithorhynchus. The fossils however, prove that there were many other species belonging to this family. Apart from the spiny anteater from Australia, there is a lot of interest people have in this mammal. The uniqueness lies in its appearance, as much as it lies in its traits of being a mammal. Let's find out.

Monotremes
They is among the five yet existing species of monotremes. Now you will ask me, what are monotremes. The word monotreme means 'single hole or opening'. They are mammals, but they do not give birth to their young ones. They lay their eggs. In other words, they belong to the group of mammals that lay eggs. The young ones are hatched from the eggs. They display all the other mammal characteristics though.

Physical Appearance
Apart from reproduction, the uniqueness of this Australian animal is also in its appearance. Their size can be compared with the size of a house cat. Duckbill platypus are approximately half the size of a house cat. Apart from their bill and their feet, their entire body is covered with hair. The back has dark brown hair, while the stomach has light yellow hair. The uniqueness of this duck billed platypus is that the tail is made up of fatty tissues. It is the tail, which stores the energy. The tail is similar to that of a beaver's tail. It has a streamlined body and it is flat as well. Similar to penguins it has small legs. The feet have uncanny resemblance to the feet of a duck. It has fully webbed feet in front, while the hind part of the feet are partially webbed. But the feet of a duckbill platypus have nails, which are used for digging.

There are hollow spurs on the ankles of the male duckbill platypus, which contain venom. The male species use them for self protection. Another physical trait,which they share with the ducks is the bill. The bill is long, covered with skin, leathery and the shape is like the bill of a duck. The bill has a number of nerves, which also make it sensitive and it is soft to touch. The nostrils are located on the bill. The beauty of the nostrils is that the duckbill are able to close them, when they are under water.

Exactly behind the bill, are the eyes. The ears are actually slits, which are seen behind the eyes. The weight of the duckbill can vary between one and half pounds to as much as five and half pounds. The size of this monotremes can be anywhere between twenty-six inches to thirty-nine inches long.

Duckbill Platypus Facts

Habitat
After reading about the uniqueness, you naturally would be intrigued to know some information on platypus habitat. They are found in rivers in the Eastern Australian region and Tasmania. Theere habitat is always in and near water. They are known to make their nests in tunnels as much as 50 feet long on the side of the riverbanks. They will make nests in deep crevices and even small caves in rocky banks. They are seen on land, only around the breeding season.

Reproduction
Till they are two years of age, they do not reach sexual maturity. The mating season is between the months of September and October. In other words, they are the spring months in Australia. Normally a female will make burrows or tunnels, where she will be able to lay the eggs. Often it is seen lined with leaves and grass. Approximately two weeks after mating, the female will be seen returning to the burrow. Soil is used to close the burrow. The female can lay anywhere between 1 to 3 eggs at a time. The mother curls herself around the eggs and incubates the eggs. It takes 10 days for the young ones to hatch.

Food Habits
These mammals are basically carnivores, but they do not have teeth. However, their mouths are equipped with grinding pads, which are used to grind food, before it is swallowed. They are seen feeding themselves once early in the morning and once in the evening. Normally frogs, tadpoles, fish, larvae and shrimp is the food for them. The platypus often go down to the river bottom and find food by wiggling its bill in the sand and mud at the bottom of the river. They do not use their ears and eyes to catch hold of its prey. The bill gathers the electrical charges from the prey and uses them to hone into their target.

Till recently, the duckbill platypus were hunted for their fur and the species almost neared extinction. However, they are now protected under the National Parks Wildlife Act 1974. The population of these mammals is now steadily growing back. However, with the destruction of their habitats, they may come closer to extinction again. Therefore, conservation measures need to be taken.