Interesting Facts about platypus

The platypus also known as duck-billed Platypus, is a small mammal found mainly in Eastern Australia and Tasmania beside the fresh water lakes or river. It has a Duck like bill, a beaver like tail and an otter like body. This wonderful creature has many interesting facts which you might not know. This creature is very unusual and has got many unusual abilities too. In this hub I will explain some wonderful facts about Platypus.

Name: Platypus

Binomial Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Genus: Ornithorhynchus

Weight : 1 to 2.5 kg

Special Ability : Electroreception

Life span: On average 10 years

# Mammal which lay eggs: Platypus is one of the only 2 mammals (Platypus and Echidna) which lay eggs despite being a mammal. A mother Platypus usually lay one to three eggs only. It takes around 10 days to hatch the eggs. The baby platypuses are feed from the milk of their mother. A mother platypus does not have any nipples, but it can feed milk from the gland of its belly.

# In 18th centuries, platypuses were killed for their woolly coated fur. But fortunately now it is illegal to catch Platypus. You can have Platypus as your pet but you must have a license for it. Some countries do not give this license at all.

# A platypus can swim underwater by closing their eyes. It can gather food from a very tough place of water by using a underwater detection system known as Electroreception. This unique ability gives a Platypus to use electrical impulses to locate anything by closing its eyes.

# A platypus can usually stay 1 to 2 minutes underwater by holding its breath. But in danger they can stay underwater for up to 10 minutes. Isn't it great?

# Platypus have webbed feet. As a result they cannot walk fast on land but can swim relatively faster in the water.

# Male Platypus is really venomous. They can inject venom by using their hind legs.

# The bill of the platypus looks exactly like a duck Bill.

# Platypus can consume a lot of food. It spends most of its time by searching food underwater. Within a day a platypus can consume food equal to its own body weight.

# A Platypus usually can live 5 to 7 years in their natural habitat. However they can live up to 15 years in captivity because of the availability of good food and health care. So on average it can live around 10 years.

# A platypus can store food in its cheek pouches for a short period of time. It store food inside underwater and later eats them on land.