Platypus

By Fioni Chiu
 * ANCIENT PLATYPUS **◄ ▬ --- ▬ ► ** FUTURE PLATYPUS **

 ﻿ ﻿ **Ornithorhynchus anatinus ﻿ ﻿  **

**Table 1: Scientific Classification of Platypus.** Source:[]
 * **Kingdom** || Animalia ||
 * **Phylum** || Chordata ||
 * ** Class ** || Mammalia ||
 * **Order** || Monotremata ||
 * **Family** || Ornithorhynchidae ||
 * ** Genus ** || Ornithorhynchus ||
 * <span style="color: #5a0202; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Species** || <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">O. Anatinus ||

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**INTRODUCTION**__ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The **Platypus** (//Ornithorhynchus anatinus//) is a monotreme, like the echidna and semi-aquatic mammal which is endemic to eastern Australia and Tasmania. The first scientists to examine the platypus believed that this animal was a hoax because of the unusual features that the animal had. The animal is seen and described as a mix of other animals, the duck with its bill, reproduction ways and webbed feet, the beaver with its tail and otter with its body, fur and size.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**COMMON CHARACTERISTICS**__ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The common characteristics of the platypus, is its brown fur, webbed feet and rubbery textured bill. The fur on the outer skin keeps the platypus warm when the weather is cold. The eyes are located above the bill, and the nostrils are located on the surface of the bill. The ears, nostrils and eyes are closed when the platypus swims underwater. Platypuses weigh 0.7 to 2.4kg, depending if it is female or male. If it is male, they are usually larger in size, males have an average length of 50 cm and females have an average length of 43 cm, measurements may change due to environmental factors. The body temperature of the platypus is 32 Celsius, unlike other mammals who have a temperature of 37-38 Celsius. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">



__<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**HABITAT** __ __<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**WHERE IN AUSTRALIA?** __

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The habitat of the platypus is spread across the states in Australia, along the eastern coast of mainland Australia, from Cooktown in north Queensland all the way to Hobart in Tasmania. They are In streams and river east of the Great Dividing Range, and in common lakes of the Central Highlands, south, south-west and north-west coasts.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**VEGETATION AND ENVIRONMENT OF AREA**__ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> Platypus are semi-aquatic which means that they can go on land and swim underwater for long amounts of time without oxygen. They are found in rivers, streams, freshwater creeks and lakes of eastern Australia, with abundant invertebrate prey, soil earth banks, shady vegetation and a series of pools and streams. The area that they live in contribute to their status, "Endangered Species", making them prone to dangers, including water pollution, damming, drainage and other predators in that area. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The platypuses dominate most rivers in the along the coast, in Victoria, platypuses can be seen in 26 of 31 river systems. Platypuses prefer rivers with lengths up to one to two metres long, and solid earth banks so that they can dig burrows, also, slow flowing water so they can swim in long strides. They also prefer homes with a range of aquatic vegetation with access to roots of native vegetation. Platypuses adapt to extreme weathers, from alpine streams and ponds that freeze in winter, to the warm waters of tropical north Queensland.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**PREDATORS AND PREY**__ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Platypuses prey on small invertebrate animals in the bottom of the rivers, "including crustaceans and worms etc, as well as the larvae of many freshwater insects." They scoop up insects and other invertebrates with their bill in bottom of rivers. Food is stored in cheek pouches when the platypus is still underwater and then mashed once at the surface of water. Platypuses have little enemies in the wild, due to the fact that they hunt mainly underwater and live in hidden burrows. The main predators of the platypus include the snakes, goannas, spotted quolls, eels, hawks, owls, and eagles. Humans are also a contributing factor to their status, "Endangered Species", as humans are a threat to platypuses from creating pollution in rivers, and using fishing nets in freshwater creeks which has resulted in numerous being drowned. Humans also hunt platypuses for their fur.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**BURROWS**__ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The Platypus digs burrows with its sharp claws in the sides of riverbanks. It spends the day resting in their oval-shaped borrows with the length of 3 to 10 metres. The entrances of their burrows are always above water level and camouflaged with hanging leaves, branches, grass and bushes so that it is hidden from predators. There are two main burrows that the platypuses make and they are the camping burrow and the nesting burrow. The "camping burrow" is shaped like a half circle with two exits hidden inbetween bushes and grass. This burrow is where both males and females spend their time resting, except for the period when platypuses mate. The camping burrow is in the shape of a semi-circle. During the breeding season, the mother isolates itself by digging up a "nesting burrow", so that it can breed. Inside the "nesting burrow", it digs up a nesting chamber which allows the platypus to breed with limited space. Most of these burrows are sloped upwards into the earth so that it is protected against floods and water won't go in. The nest of the platypus is generally constructed using fallen branches, reeds and gum leaves. To maintain dryness in the "nesting burrow", platypuses often make the entrance of the burrow smaller so that they can dry themselves when squeezing through the hole. - -  -  -  --  -

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**ADAPTATIONS**__

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Structural Adaptation ONE: <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Bill**

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> One of the structural adaptation of the platypus is its bill, which is very different from the bills of ducks. The platypus’s bill is the most common characteristic of all the adaptations. The platypus bill is made of alpha keratin, similar to the hair, nails, rhino horns, hooves, and claws of other mammals. Its bill acts as survival tool that helps the platypus find and mechanically digest food and is heavily relied on. The bill has electro-receptors which allows the platypus to swim underwater to find prey with closed eyes, nostrils and ears. Electroreceptors are a large sensory mucous gland that cover the entire bill and is attached to the nervous fibres in the electro-sensitive pores, resulting it to be able to detect the second when electrical impulses are generated from the prey. This helps the platypus determine the prey's location and force its prey from hiding. This adaptation helps the platypus adapt to its surrounding because its senses are blocked, by using the electro-receptors, it is easier for the platypus to find food.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Structural Adaptation TWO: <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The spur is located on the inside of the hind legs of both male and female platypuses. The spur of the female drops off three months after birth because it is not needed and will not be used. The male keep their spur which produces venom that can inflict excruciating, painful wound on its predators, prey and other males. The venom can be quite dangerous as it can kill pet dogs and cats within minutes after the venom is injected, but is not as dangerous to other mammals in the wild. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The crural gland shaped like a kidney, is attached to the spur in the upper thigh and produces powerful venom. The crural gland increases in size during the breeding season and the volume of poison produced increases. This gland is only found in male platypuses as females do not have the spur that gives off the venom. This spur protects the platypus from harm, the location of the spur allows a larger range of attack. The spur also plays a role in the breeding season as males fight each other as a competition so that it can win a female to mate. Most of the time, the spur lays flat against the ankle and only rises when required. This adaptation helps the platypus protect itself from predators, the chance of survival would've decreased without an advantage in its physical traits when it fights and protects. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Behavioral Adaptation ONE:**__ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Mating** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The platypus is very independent and does not interact with other platypuses unless it is the mating season. There are times in which the platypuses share its habitat of the same river but it is unlikely as the platypus is a shy animal. M ating season takes place between July and October, where the male becomes more aggressive towards other males. Mating occurs in water, with a series of swimming movements where the male hangs onto the female's tail while she swims(refer to video 2 below). After around 2 to 3 weeks, one to three soft-shelled eggs, the size of a lima bean, are laid in a nesting burrow built by the female. Platypus infants leave the burrow when they reach approximately 3 to 4 months old. Both male and female become sexually mature in their second year. This adaptation helps the platypus by pairing up those best suited for each other to mate.
 * Venom Glands and Spurs**

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Behavioral Adaptation TWO:**__ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Platypuses are mainly nocturnal animals as they stay in their burrows during the day and only come out late at night. Platypuses rely on these burrows as it provides a place for them to rest, live and protection from predators. Not only is it a home, it is also a place for females to reproduce. The female platypus isolates itself and digs a burrow specialised for breeding preparation after she mates with the male. The females keep themselves safe by doing a couple of things to ensure her eggs will be delievered safely. The nesting burrow have several twist, turns and blockages of earth before it reaches the nesting chamber. These twists, turns and blockages are made by the female, so that predators cannot come in easily and water cannot leak into the chamber. Also, these burrows are sloped upwards into the earth so that the eggs are protected against floods so that water won't go in. Once, the eggs are layed, the female lies close to the eggs, using its belly and tail to incubate the platypus eggs. This adaptation provides safety to the eggs, and is influenced by the environment/habitat they are in. They need this adaptation for platypuses to successfully reproduce.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Burrows **

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Physiological adaptation ONE:** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Temperature** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The platypus’s body temperature is approximately 32 Celsius which is slightly lower compared to most mammals who have a temperature of 37 to 38 Celsius.The low temperature helps the platypus maintain its body heat as it slows down the rate of the body temperature loosing heat. In the extreme cold weather, the platypus decreases the rate of the blood flow so that it can stay warm, and keep its internal organs intact. With the low body temperature and thick fur, the platypus would easily overheat during the hot weather in Summer, therefore it doesn't come out frequently during day time, and is a nocturnal creature. This adaptation is influenced by the harsh climate in the environment the platypus lives in, with lower body temperature, it can easily adapt to Australia's extreme weather. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> - -  -  -

__**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">OTHER MEDIA: **__ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Audio 1: Rare soft growling sound of the platypus when disturbed. media type="file" key="platypus.mp3" align="left" width="240" height="20"

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<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Video 1: **Platypus waddling** Source: National Geographic <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">media type="custom" key="9875421" align="left"

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">(Source: Youtube) Video 2: <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Platypus Mating** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">media type="youtube" key="5PLnpCRuEQ0?rel=0" height="349" width="425" align="left" - -  -  -

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__**<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">BILIOGRAPHY **__


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Duck-Billed Platypus: Ornithorhynchidae - Behavior And Reproduction . (n.d.). //Animal Life Resource//. Retrieved July 25th, 2011, from []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Platypus Information. (n.d.). //Australian Animals//. Retrieved July 25th, 2011, from []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Platypus at Animal Corner. (n.d.). //Animals, Animal, Wildlife Animals, Rainforests, Pets, Farm Animals and Insects//. Retrieved July 25th, 2011, from []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Platypuses, Platypus Pictures, Platypus Facts - National Geographic. (n.d.). //Animals, Animal Pictures, Wild Animal Facts - National Geographic//. Retrieved June 26th, 2011, from []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Unique Australian Animals. (n.d.). //Unique Australian Animals//. Retrieved June 26th, 2011, from []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Platypus: Introduction to an Iconic Mammal. (n.d). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Retrieved June 26th, 2011, from[[image:http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/spacer.gif width="1" height="25"]][]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Duck-Billed Platypus. (n.d). The Animal Files. Retrieved June 26th, 2011, from []

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