Duck-Billed Platypus: Ornithorhynchidae - Physical Characteristics, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Platypus And People, Conservation Status - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT
Platypus are found only in mainland Australia and the southern island of Tasmania. Platypus are distributed along Australia's east coast, to about 500 miles (800 kilometers) inland, from Cook-town, Queensland to Melbourne, Victoria, and into Tasmania.
All platypus live on the edges of freshwater bodies like lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams, in tropical and temperate regions.
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A platypus, at first glance, resembles an otter with a duck's bill on its face and a beaver's tail in back. An adult platypus, about the size of a house cat, weighs from 3 to 5 pounds (1.5 to 2.5 kilograms), its adult head and body length runs 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters), and the tail adds another 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters). Males are larger than females. The sno…
The platypus eats small freshwater animals, which it hunts at night, underwater, with its eyes and ears closed. It finds and catches underwater creatures that are swimming or sunken in the bottom mud by tracking them down with its sensitive bill, which can detect electricity and motion. Diet is varied, including adult and larval water insects, crayfish (called "yabbies" in Australia)…
Platypus are either solitary, or a male and female may live together, sharing a burrow. Platypus build two types of burrows along the banks of creeks and ponds. One is a "camping burrows," an all-purpose shelter for male and female; the other is the "nesting burrow," built only by the female, and containing a breeding chamber, or room, for birthing and raising the young…
The platypus, almost as much as the kangaroo, has become a national symbol of Australia and of the odd, weird, and outright bizarre creatures native to that continent and country. The platypus is a symbol, as well, for the unique, the quirky,
The world's first platypus twin puggles (baby platypus) born in captivity are shown together for the first time in 2003. (AFP PHOTO/Torsten BLACKW…
Platypus are considered "common but vulnerable" by the government of Australia. It is plentiful in some areas, but is considered vulnerable due to habitat destruction from dams, irrigation projects, being caught in fish nets and lines, and water pollution. Platypus are strictly protected by law and harsh penalties in Australia, which is agreeable with most, if not all, Australians, s…
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almost 3 years ago
nora » syrigankosova05 ((at)) hotmail dot com
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