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Fascinating Duck-Billed Platypus: Nature's Unique Mammal

Dive into the intriguing world of the duck-billed platypus, a remarkable mammal that defies convention with its egg-laying abilities and venomous spurs. Explore its habitat in Southern Australia, distinctive behaviors, and impressive survival adaptations. Learn about its diet preferences, defense mechanisms, and the ongoing conservation efforts to protect this special creature. Discover the secrets of the elusive platypus and why it holds a special place in the animal kingdom.

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Fascinating Duck-Billed Platypus: Nature's Unique Mammal

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Platypus Made by Mrs. Everham

  2. NAME • Duck Billed Platypus • Kingdom-Animalia • Phylum-Chordata • Class-Mammalia • Order-monotremata • Family-ornithorhynchidae • Genus-ornithorhynchidae • Species-ornithorhynchidae anatinus

  3. APPEARANCE • Length: 24 inches • Height: 12 inches • Weight: 1.5-5.5 pounds. • Color: Usually brown.

  4. DIET • Meat: • Fresh water shrimp, worms, and some fish. • No plants • Acquiring Food: • Searches for food from dawn to nearly sunset. • Fun fact: • Can consume its full body weight in just a 24 hour time period!

  5. HABITAT • Part of the World: • Southern Australia • Environment: • Australian fresh water lakes and streams. • Nest is burrowed in the ground.

  6. BEHAVIOR • During the Day: • Swimming • Underground • During Dusk: • Wallows around above ground • Temperament: • Platypuses are shy and wary. • Habits and unique behavior: • Sweeps its head from side to side to locate prey. • Underwater the platypus closes its eyes, ears, and nostrils.

  7. DEFENSES • Male platypus has a poisonous spur on each of it’s hind legs • Not lethal against humans, but is still very painful. • Female has these spurs, but they do not produce venom.

  8. ENEMIES • Snakes • Water Rats • Monitor Lizards • Hawks • Owls • Eagles • Humans

  9. SURVIVAL STATUS • Produces Young: • Lays 1-3 eggs at once • Eggs hatch about 28 days after mating • Endangered?: • Not currently considered to be endangered. • "Common but Vulnerable" in Australia. • Life Span: • 4-5 years for male • 6-8 years for female.

  10. SOMETHING SPECIAL • The platypus bill is rubbery and flexible. • Platypuses sweat milk • In the 1900’s platypuses were hunted for their fur. • They are the one of two mammals that lay eggs. (also the echidna)

  11. SOMETHING SPECIAL • There is no plural word for platypus. • Some Australians eat platypus • It is still illegal to hunt the platypuses.

  12. SOURCES • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus • http://www.australianfauna.com/platypus.php • http://australian-animals.net/plat.htm • http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/platypus/ • http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=active&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=platypus&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

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