PLATYPUS
Many people call platypus duckbill because this animal
has a bill like a duck’s bill. Platypus is an indigenous of Tasmania and
southern and eastern Australia. Although it lays eggs instead of bearing its
young alive, the platypus is a true mammal, not a reptile. It nurses its young
with milk as do other mammals.
Platypus has a flat tail and webbed feet. It body length
is 30 to 45 cm covered with a thick and woolly layer of fur. Its bill is detecting
prey and strirring up mud. Platypus’ eyes and head are small. It has no ears
but has ability to sense sound and light.
The male platypus has a hollow claw or spur, on each hind
leg. The spurs are connected with poison glands. The platypus leg scratches and
poisons its enemies with the spurs.
Platypus
lives in streams, rivers, and lakes. Female platypus usually digs burrows in
streams or river banks. The burrows are blocked with soil to protect it from
intruders and flooding. On other hand, male platypus doesn’t need any burrow to
stay.
