Platypus
Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Near threatenedPhoto: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mammalcarnivore
The platypus is a quirky egg-laying mammal found in eastern Australia and Tasmania. It has a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail. Males carry venomous spurs on their hind legs, making them one of the rare venomous mammals.
- Lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
- Uses electrolocation to hunt prey underwater with eyes closed.
- Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their hind feet.
FreshwaterWetlandAustralia
Read more on WikipediaAt a glance
- Classification
- Mammal
- Scientific name
- Ornithorhynchus anatinus
- Habitat
- Freshwater, Wetland
- Regions in this directory
- Australia
- Diet
- carnivore
- Relative size
- small
- IUCN Red List
- Near Threatened (NT)
