Quick Facts
Type: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size: Head and Body, 15"; Tail 5" Weight: 3lbs Scientific Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus |
Welcome to Sexy Platypus!Sexyplatypus.com is your one stop for comprehensive information about the amazing duck-billed platypus. Our team understands the history and biology of the platypus, their evolution, habitat and diet.
The platypus is a mammal that reproduces by laying eggs instead of giving birth to live young. It is one of the five extant species of monotremes, including four species of echidna, and it is one of the only mammals that lays eggs instead of giving birth. It also remains a very ancient mammal form, and has not evolved over the last 100,000 years. It is an interesting animal that can teach us a lot about evolution. Any website can give you the information, but few can give you the right information. Many claim to offer the best content, but they aren't always reliable. This is where sexyplatypus.com comes in. If you don't find what you need at sexyplatypus.com contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about this incredible creature. |
Why Should We Care About Platypus?
It is important that we care about the platypus because many scientist can study and compare them to modern mammals to learn how ancient mammals may have lived.
For instance, unlike most mammals, the platypus lays eggs instead of live offspring, much like a bird. Many scientists now suggest that because platypus ancestors lived in the water it was easier for their offspring to survive if they laid eggs. Also, unlike most other mammals, the platypus produces venom, much like a reptile. Male platypus have a pair of barbs on their feet to inject venom, and they use this venom to fight against other male platypus in breeding season. Despite this they still have some distinctly mammalian characteristics, like the fact that they lactate but have no nipples. All these things show just how unique these animals are and how scientists can study them to uncover a little bit about the biology of ancient mammals. |
7 Interesting Facts About the Duck-Billed Platypus!1. They Have Venomous Spurs!
Male Platypus have a Venom Spur for fight against other male platypus during the mating season. 2. People Used to Think They Were a Hoax. A long time ago, people -especially some naturalists- liked to play a game where they'd stitch up different animal parts and try to tell other people that they found a new species. For this reason when scientists first discovered the platypus, nobody trusted that they were real. 3. They Detect Electricity. Unlike most mammals, platypus use electrosensitivity to hunt their prey. When using this the platypus shuts off all of their normal mammal senses and focuses on finding its prey based solely on the electrical signals and mechanical waves it picks up using its bill.There are only few mammals that use electrosensitivity, such as Dolphin. 4. Platypus are part of a Unique Group of Mammals Called Monotremes. Yes... The Platypus does look like a Frankenstein creature, something patched together from different animal parts. But it is in fact a distinct group of mammals called Monotremes. Monotremes are the only mammals that lay eggs instead of baby. Ancient mammals laid eggs, however, they only mammals that do now are the platypus and the echidna, both Monotremes. 5. They Walk on Their Knuckles! Most people think the platypus is related closer to land mammals than sea mammals, because they have four legs. The reality os a little more complicated. The Platypus has webbed feet -similar to duck feet- which are great for swimming, but not so great for land. And when they walk on land, it looks like they are walking on their knuckles. 6. Unusual Breasts. Like all mammals, the platypus feeds milk to their baby, but the platypus does not have teats at all. Females produce milk, but instead of using nipples, they use areolae which act as "milk patches" and secrete milk like sweat. This pools up into the folds of the mother's skin and the baby laps it up from there. 7. They Don't Have a Stomach! The platypus did not evolve a lot compared to other mammals, and surprisingly they evolved not to have a stomach. As many people know, the stomach breaks down foods to aid in digestion, but the platypus just sort of has an intestine and an esophagus that connect together. |