📷 no rights reserved · CC0
📷 (c) Tim, some rights reserved (CC BY)
📷 (c) Tim, some rights reserved (CC BY)
IUCN: Near Threatened
Platypus
Ornithorhynchus anatinus
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassMammalia›OrderMonotremata›FamilyOrnithorhynchidae›GenusOrnithorhynchus
About
The platypus is one of the world’s few egg-laying mammals and combines a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail. It closes its eyes and ears underwater, finding prey through electroreceptors in its bill. Males carry venomous ankle spurs, while females nurse tiny hatchlings in burrows along freshwater banks.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes with stable banks
🍃Diet Aquatic insects, worms, crustaceans, and larvae
📏Size & Weight Body 38–60 cm including tail
•weight 0.7–2.4 kg
⏳Lifespan 10–17 years wild; longer in care
🗺Range Eastern Australia and Tasmania
MammalMonotreme
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes with stable banks
🍃Diet Aquatic insects, worms, crustaceans, and larvae
📏Size & Weight Body 38–60 cm including tail
•weight 0.7–2.4 kg
⏳Lifespan 10–17 years wild; longer in care
🗺Range Eastern Australia and Tasmania
Photo Credits
#1no rights reserved · CC0
#2(c) Tim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
#3(c) Tim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
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