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Meet Australias arguably strangest animal.
Can you guess what it is?
It's not a mammal.
Not a marsupial.
I'll give you a hint.
It has the body and tail of a beaver, the beak and feet of a duck, lays eggs like a snake, and feeds milk to its young.
Figured it out yet?
The platypus is one of only two species of the genus monotreme.
(the other being the echidna)
This cute little bundle of weirdness is most well known by non-Australians for the cartoon Phineas and Ferb. Where two boys own a pet platypus called Perry, who is secretly an agent whos job is to defeat some evil guy who is in reality really stupid. (In all honesty, I still don't know if I like the show or if I think it's just some lazy scripting that accidentally became a hit)
When the platypus (otherwise known as the duck-billed platypus) was first discovered, a dead body was presented to scientists who discarded of it, believing it to be an elaborate hoax, made up from stitched together body parts from different animals.
However, it turns out that the animals is in fact very real.
Then when naming it, scientists compromised. Originally calling it Platypus Anatinus, until they realised that name was taken already by a beetle. It was later officially recognised as Ornithorhynchus anatinus, which literally means "bird snout".
It is native to Australia, and can be found in the East of Queensland, NSW, Victoria and even throughout Tasmania. Though they are lesser in numbers in Northern Queensland, assumedly due to the increased number of crocodiles and the introduction of the red fox. However their numbers have stayed stable from before the settlers came and now adays. (so any and all rumours of platypus being endangered can be forgotten. No idea where people got that idea from. They're elusive. Not endangered)
They're as small as a chihuahua though notably friendlier.
Male platypus are a rare breed, of note due to the venomous spike on their rear legs, something very few mammals have. Fear not, this spike is harmless to humans, only causing some pain, they use this spike in breeding season to fend competing males away from their territory.
Speaking of breeding.
The female platypus becomes fertile around two years of age and has been observed still laying eggs beyond 9 years of age. They can lay up to 3 eggs which are similar in appearance and texture to that of a snakes.
The babies are hatched hairless and sightless, feeding from milk secreted from a patch of skin on the mothers belly. Yes. Secreted. Not expressed. Platypus do not possess nipples.
In captivity platypuses have been known to live until 17 years of age, and in the wild have been found to live to 11 years.
Platypus are known best for being nocturnal or being most active at dawn and dusk however can be spotted throughout the day, when it is particularly overcast. They basically do whatever they want no matter how much we try to put them in a box. When trying to spot one, remember they are incredibly shy, so be quiet, sit still, and pray for good luck. They are incredibly hard to see, usually blending in with the water.
They are of course swimmers, residing in rivers. They are carnivorous, eating crustaceans like crabs and yabbies, along with small fish, worms etc.
Their dives under water last only around 30 seconds each, returning to the surface to rest 10 seconds, before diving again. They swim with their eyes, ears and nostrils closed, using only their sensitive beak to feel their way through the water and sense vibrations that tell them where their prey is.
Platypus live in burrows dug into the banks of rivers slightly above water level, usually well hidden behind root systems and brush.
To conclude. The platypus is awesome. Is surprisingly successful all things considered.
And did I mention it's awesome?
Let me know what Australian animal you want me to talk about next, I have two previous takes talking about the Dingo and the Sugar Glider, feel free to check those out:
https://www.girlsaskguys.com/other/a35189-the-australian-dingo
https://www.girlsaskguys.com/other/a35226-the-australian-sugar-glider
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