O platypus is an extremely exotic animal that has characteristics that resemble birds and reptiles. Let's get to know more about him and find out why he is not classified in these groups?
O platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is an animal that lives exclusively in Australia and has very peculiar characteristics. Despite laying eggs, having a structure similar to a beak and paws that resemble those of ducks, this animal is a mammal. Classified as monotreme, the platypus has the typical characteristics of the Mammalia class: the presence of hair and mammary glands.
It lives on land, but can often be seen in rivers and lakes, trying to capture its food—small fish, shrimp, and some aquatic insects. The structure that resembles a beak is composed of several nerve sensors, which work by helping the animal to identify its prey.
Because it stays in the water for a long time, it is considered a semiaquatic mammal. Its duck-like paws favor its swimming. In addition, it has some skin folds that cover the ears and eyes, as well as a structure that prevents water from entering the nostrils when taking a dip.
The platypus is able to stay underwater for up to five minutes
Females lay between one and three eggs after approximately two weeks of mating. Between the sixth and tenth day after the female lays the egg, the young are born. Unlike the vast majority of mammals, this animal does not have breasts. Milk comes out through glands in the mother's womb. The puppy should lick the milk that comes out of the pores.
An interesting feature is that males produce venoms, an attribute that is uncommon in the mammalian group. Found in spurs on the hind limbs, the venom produced by the platypus is believed to be one of the most painful in humans. Researchers estimate that there are more than 80 different toxins in the composition of the venom, however it is not capable of killing a human.
Curiosity: Scientists recently described a species of extinct platypus that measured more than a meter in length. This animal lived between 5 and 15 million years ago. It was identified from a fossilized molar tooth.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
