Scientists are still investigating this question.Ī platypus's front feet have extra skin that acts like a paddle when the animal is swimming. It's possible that this biofluorescence helps reduce the animals' visibility to predators, but the eerie glow may serve little or no ecological function. Under ultraviolet light, however, platypuses' drab brown fur glows green and blue, Live Science previously reported.
DUCK BILLED PLATYPUS FACTS PATCH
Most of the fur is dark brown, except for a patch of lighter fur near each eye and lighter-colored fur on the underside.
On an average they take 1.5 kg comprising 450 g of earthworms, 200 mealworms, 2 small frogs, 20 to 30 crayfish, and 2 coddled eggs in the captivity.Platypuses have dense, thick fur that helps them stay warm underwater. When in captivity, platypus is known to take on food equivalent to the half of its own weight on daily basis.
The platypus generally feeds on larvae of water insects, crayfish, shrimps, worms, tadpoles, small fish, and snails. What Do Platypuses Eat | Duck Billed Platypus Facts The platypus tends to dive, dig and swim very well by using its forefeet rather than hind feet. The other burrow, which is normally much deeper typically belongs to the young and is built by the female alone. One of these burrows is employed for shelter for both males and females in the breeding season. Platypus generally builds two kinds of burrows in the banks of streams and ponds. Image Courtesy of Where Do Platypuses Live | Duck Billed Platypus Facts The average lifespan of platypus is 13 years in the wild while in captivity, they can live up to 21 years.They will remain active all throughout the year and even in cold temperatures of winter.They are usually seen in the early morn or in late evening hours.Platypus can remain under water for about 1 minute.Platypus is known to have a keen eye-sight and hearing but when it is in water, the skin folds cover their eyes and ears. The voice of a platypus is not often heard however, they do produce a growl-like sound.The venom is strong enough to kill a dog and can cause agonizing pain to humans. The gland discharges venom which then goes to the spur and is finally injected to the prey animal. The young platypuses have small calcified teeth that have stubby roots whereas adults have no functional teeth but they do have horn-like plates along each jaw.The nostrils of platypus open through its snout on the upper half, and are closer together.The platypus’s tail seems like a beaver.
These animals have short and stout limbs while the feet are webbed like in penguins.Platypus displays deep amber and blackish brown to the yellowish chestnut and the greyish white color from below.The weight of the platypus ranges from 0.7 to 2.4 kg (1.5 to 5.3 lb).They have a tail measuring at 100 to 150 mm in length.The head-and-body length of a male duck billed platypus measures around 50 cm (20 inches), while the female measures at 43 cm (17 inches) in length.These factors pressed the numbers of these animals even though they are classified as ‘Least Concern’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Humans had extensively hunted platypus in the 1950s primarily due to its fur trade. The home range of male platypus is about 2.9 to 7.0 km. The males have inwardly-directed hind limbs together with hollow spurs that are associated with venom glands. The adult platypus weighs around 0.5 to 2.0 kg.
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