The platypus' scientific name and family

NAME:

The Platypus has lots of different names. The European settlers saw it and noticed it could swim and dig. They thought of it as a duck-mole or a water-mole. 

Scientists named it the Platypus, which means flat-footed, but that name had already been given to a beetle in 1793. They then named it Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

FAMILY:

The platypus belongs to a family called Ornithorhynchiade.

HABITAT:

The platypus lives in hot and cold climates. It lives in freshwater creeks, rivers and lakes. 

Typical Habitat

Two examples of the Burrow

THE BURROW AND SLEEPING CHAMBER:

The Platypus digs a burrow in the banks of the creek, river or lakes where it lives. The burrow may be from six to sixteen meters long. At the end of the burrow there is a cozy sleeping chamber. There are often several entrances to the burrow. The entrances are always above water level and well hidden from predators. It is camouflaged by hanging reeds, grass and bushes. The burrow is usually a very tight fit. As the platypus forces its way into the burrow the remaining water in its' fur is squeezed out. The platypus enters the chamber fairly dry.

WHERE IS THE PLATYPUS LOCATED? 

The platypus is located in most of the lakes, creeks, rivers and streams along the eastern side of Australia, from Cooktown in north Queensland all the way to Hobart.

This is where the Platypus is mainly found

FOOD:

The platypus usually feeds in the early hours of the morning and late afternoon into dusk. In between feeding times the platypus rests in it's nest or lies in the sun above the entrance to the burrow.

FINDING FOOD:

The platypus is a monotreme this means it lays eggs. When it feeds above water level it shakes its head from side to side so that the nerves in its bill can sense the food.

FEEDING:

When the platypus finds food it swims to the surface of the water, breathes and  chews the food with their horny grind pads at the base of the bill. 

The Eating Platypus

David Fleay

DIET:

The platypus has a different diet for winter and summer. Their diet includes shrimps, larvae, horsehair worms, fish eggs and plants. It also swallows mud, that contains tiny water creatures called plankton.

IDENTIFICATION:

The platypus is the only animal in the world to have a bill, webbed feet and fur. It is only located in Australia.

FEET:

The feet of the platypus are designed for swimming and digging. The webbing between its claws enable it to swim. When the platypus is digging, the webbing tucks safely away so it can't be damaged and it can't interfere with the platypus' digging.  

          The Digging              The Swimming

             Position                     Position

           David Fleay

THE FEMALE PLATYPUS:

The female platypus is much smaller than the male. She grows to about 44.5 centimetres long and weighs 1.2 kg. The young female platypus also has spurs but she loses them when she is 8 to 10 months old. The female platypus does not have a pouch to carry her young in. She lays eggs in her special nesting chamber and feeds her young on milk straight after the platypus has hatched. The egg shells are soft like paper bags.

The Female Platypus

MALE OR FEMALE?

The male and female look the same but have you ever considered length. Well that is how you do it.

Try looking at the comparison of these platypus.

Can you see the difference?

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