1. The Unique Mammal That Lays Eggs
The Platypus is a unique creature, weighing in at an average of 2.75 lbs and measuring between 1.3 and 1.6 feet in length. This semi-aquatic mammal is found in the rivers and streams of eastern Australia and Tasmania, and is the only mammal that lays eggs. Its distinctive features include a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a venomous spur on the hind foot of the male.
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Advertisement2. The Unique Animal With a Combination of Features
The Platypus is an amazing creature, boasting a unique combination of features that make it one of the most interesting animals in the world. Not only does it have a bill like a duck, webbed feet like an otter, and a tail like a beaver, but it also has a luxurious coat of fur that helps keep it warm and dry. This fur is made up of two layers - a dense, fine undercoat and a longer, coarser outer layer - that work together to keep the Platypus insulated from the cold and wet.
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3. Platypus: No Ears, Tail Storing 50% Body Fat
The platypus is a unique creature, with no visible ears and a tail that can store up to 50% of its body fat. It walks on its knuckles, tucking its webbed feet back, and uses its tail as a fat reserve for times of need. This remarkable animal is a fascinating example of nature's diversity.
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4. "Platypus: Unusual Mammal of Streams & Lakes"
The Platypus is an intriguing creature that lives near freshwater streams and lakes. It typically builds its burrow just above water level, with entrances often found on lake banks, under tree roots, and in rivers. This semi-aquatic mammal is well-adapted to its environment, with webbed feet and a waterproof fur coat that helps it to swim and forage for food in the water. Its unique bill is also well-suited for detecting prey in the murky depths of its aquatic habitat.
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Advertisement5. A Unique Creature With a Duck-Like Bill and Webbed Feet
The platypus is a unique creature, with its duck-like bill and webbed feet, that hunts mainly at night for its diet of shrimps, pea-shells, mussels, worms, aquatic insects, fish eggs, and even frogs. Using its sensitive bill, the platypus can locate its prey in the dark and then use its webbed feet to swim and catch them. This remarkable creature is a true marvel of nature.
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6. Platypuses Are Lazy Creatures That Spend 17 Hours A Day Snoozing
Platypuses are incredibly lazy creatures, spending up to 17 hours a day snoozing in their burrows. Adult Platypuses typically have multiple burrows, which they use to rest in throughout the day. These burrows are usually located near a water source, such as a river or lake, and are dug into the ground with their powerful front legs.
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7. Platypus: Unusual Creature With Amazing Food-Storing Ability
The platypus is a unique creature, possessing a remarkable ability to temporarily store food in their cheek pouches. This allows them to forage for food without having to immediately consume it. Unlike other mammals, platypuses do not have teeth, instead relying on their bill to grind food between two specialised pads. This remarkable adaptation allows them to feed on a variety of food sources, including insects, larvae, and small crustaceans.
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Advertisement8. Swim With Eyes, Ears, Nose Shut!
The Platypus is an incredibly unique creature, as it is able to swim with its eyes, ears, and nose shut. This is made possible by its sensitive bill, which is covered in electroreceptors that allow it to detect prey and navigate its environment without relying on its other senses. This remarkable adaptation allows the Platypus to hunt and swim in murky waters, where its prey may be hidden from sight.
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9. Male Platypus Has Venomous Hind Ankles
The male Platypus has a unique feature on its hind ankles - a hollow spur that is incredibly sharp and venomous. This venom is so powerful that it can incapacitate a human or even kill a small animal. It is a remarkable adaptation that has enabled the Platypus to survive in its natural environment.
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10. Female Platypus Lays 1-3 Eggs in 10-12 Days
Female Platypuses lay a clutch of 1 to 3 leathery eggs, which they incubate for around 10-12 days before hatching. After hatching, the young Platypuses are nourished by milk from two round patches of skin located midway along their mother's belly. This milk is rich in proteins and fats, and provides the young Platypuses with the nutrients they need to grow and develop.
