A Guide to Platypus Facts
Platypus facts explain that many people often felt that this animal was a joke when they saw it for the first time. It is from Australia originally and it looks like someone put a duck bill on a small mammal and turned it loose. It is also interesting to know that it can lay eggs like a bird. That makes this an all around unique type of animal.
These mammals are typically brown and they have a silver underbelly. They also have a patch of fur below their eyes and under their ears. There bills are not very sturdy and they tend to be rather flexible. They have very short legs and their feet are webbed so that they can be good swimmers. The male platypus can also produce venom that is produced from a spur that is on the rear leg.
If the animal gets you with his venom you will have intense physical pain. Platypus facts also discuss the tail of the animal. It is explained as being very long and broad. It helps with swimming as well as a place for the platypus to store fat.
These animals are found in rivers, lakes and streams in Australia. They will usually eat invertebrates that are found on the bottom of the water. They use their bills to find the food that they are looking for. This is because the bill is very sensitive and is used as a way to feel for food. However, they might also eat a frog or insects from time to time from the top of the water as well. This is not unheard of.
They often spend much of their time in the water. They are very good swimmers and will dive to very deep waters in order to eat. This is not very difficult for them because they can close their eyes, ears and noses when they dive.
They will come out mainly at night and remain in their burrows, resting for most of the day. These animals also enjoy spending much of their time alone and they usually only get together with others when they are going to be mating.
Some interesting platypus facts explain that when the animal is under water looking for food, he or she will find food and store it in his or her cheeks. Once they have all the food they can carry, they will surface and spit the food out. At this point, they will sort through what they have found and then they will eat it.
If a platypus has babies she will take care of her young. However, platypus facts have pointed out that this does not happen like you would expect it to. These animals do not have nipples like other animals that can be used to help the babies get the nutrition that they need.
These animals have glands instead. These glands will secrete the milk out onto the ground and the baby platypus will then lick it up.
By approximately six weeks the babies will begin to leave the nest from time to time. By the time he or she is five months old they will be completely weaned off of their mothers.
If you have ever seen one of these animals you would probably agree that they are very unique. They look like a beaver but they also look like a duck. They are very interesting to watch and examine because they have a lot of interesting habits.
You can spend time with your children teaching them about platypus facts and the characteristics that make them unique and different. You may even want to show them pictures so they can see how funny these little mammals actually are.
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