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Platypus is a semi aquatic mammal native of Australia including Tasmania. Along with four living species of spiny anteater it is one of the five extant species of monotremes which are the mammals specialized for egg laying. It is the only living member of the family Ornithorhynchidae and belongs to the genus Ornithorhynchus. Other species have been recorded as fossils. Platypus is one of the few venomous mammals. The male Platypus is characterized by presence of a spur on the hind foot that releases the venom capable of causing severe pain to man. The unique features of Platypus are an important subject of evolutionary biology. It is an important iconic symbol in Australia. Platypus is the animal emblem of New South Wales. Until the early 20th century it was hunted for its fur but now many projects and programmes are on floor for protecting this valuable mammal.
The word Platypus has been derived from a Latin word pous meaning flat foot. The body and the broad, flat tail of the animal are covered with dense fur which keeps the animal warm. The tail is used for depositing fat which acts as a reserve food material. The snout is large and the feet are webbed giving it the appearance of a duck rather than mammal and this is the reason why it is known as duck-billed Platypus. The webbing is more conspicuous on the front feet and folded back while walking on land. Snout is a sensory organ and the nostrils are present on the dorsal surface of snout while the eyes and ears are located just behind the snout. They are known to growl slowly.
The body weight may vary from 0.7-2.4 kg. Males are larger than females. The average body temperature is about 32°C. There are three cusped molars. The tiny bones of the middle ear are fully incorporated with the skull as in other mammals. Both male and female are provided with ankle spurs but only male spur is capable of injecting the cocktail of venom. The venom conatins defensin like proteins (DLPs) which are unique for Platypus. These proteins are produced by immune system and are lethal to small animals like dogs but not to humans. Oedema is the first symptom of venom on body followed by swelling of the affected limb. Monotremes are the only mammals which have a sense of electroreception. They are able to locate their prey by the electric fields generated by muscle contraction. Electroreceptors are located in the rostro-caudal rows in the skin of bill while the mechanoreceptors are located all around the skin of bill.
They are semi-aquatic animals living across the rivers and streams. The breeding season is from June-October. The animal follows polygynous system of mating. Female attains sexual maturity at the age of 2 years. The female mates till the age of 9. Outside the mating season it lives in a simple burrow whose entrance is 30 cm above the water level. After mating the female makes a more deep and elaborate burrow around 20 m deep with compartments in it. Males do not participate in burrow making. The female deposits dead and folded leaves at the floor of the burrow to keep it moist and this material also acts as bedding. Female has one pair of ovaries but only left one is functional. She lays three thick and leathery eggs. The eggs develop in utero for 28 days and for 10 days they require external incubation. After the female has laid the eggs it curls around them. The incubation period is divided into three phases. In the first phase when the embryo has no functional organs it relies on the yolk sac for nourishment. During the second phase digits develop and in the third phase egg tooth develops for breaking the egg shell. The newly hatched young ones are blind, hairless, vulnerable and are fed by the mother on milk. Although the mothers have mammary gland but they lack teats. Milk is released through pores in the skin. The young feed on mother's milk at the age of 3-4 months. During the period of incubation and weaning the mother leaves the burrow only for short duration and before leaving it covers the entrance point with fallen leaves in order to protect the youngs from predators. The young ones emerge out of the burrow after 4 months.
They are under the conservation schemes as are at the risk of being extinct. Hunting is strongly prohibited.
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