Duck-billed beast. The platypus is a unique animal of Australia. Which group does the platypus belong to?

The platypus is an amazing animal that lives only in Australia, on the island of Tasmania. This strange miracle belongs to mammals, but, unlike other animals, it lays eggs like an ordinary bird. Platypuses belong to oviparous mammals- a rare species of animal that survives only on the Australian continent.

History of discovery

Strange creatures can boast unusual story their discoveries. The first description of the platypus was given by Australian pioneers in the early 18th century. For a long time, science did not recognize the existence of platypuses and considered the mention of them to be an inept joke by Australian residents. Finally, at the end of the 18th century, scientists at a British university received a parcel from Australia containing the fur of an unknown animal, similar to a beaver, with paws like an otter, and a nose like an ordinary domestic duck. Such a beak looked so ridiculous that scientists even shaved the fur on the face, believing that the Australian jokers sewed duck nose to the beaver skin. Finding no seams or traces of glue, the pundits simply shrugged their shoulders. No one could understand where the platypus lived or how it reproduced. Only a few years later, in 1799, the British naturalist J. Shaw proved the existence of this miracle and brought the first detailed description a creature that was later given the name "platypus". Photos of the bird beast can only be taken in Australia, because this is the only continent on which these exotic animals currently live.

Origin

The appearance of platypuses dates back to those distant times when modern continents did not exist. All land was united into one huge continent - Gondwana. It was then, 110 million years ago, that platypuses appeared in terrestrial ecosystems, taking the place of recently extinct dinosaurs. Migrating, platypuses settled throughout the continent, and after the collapse of Gondwana, they remained to live on a large area of the ex-continent, which was later named Australia. Due to the isolated location of their homeland, the animals have retained their original appearance even after millions of years. Various types Platypuses once inhabited the vast expanses of the entire land, but only one species of these animals has survived to this day.

Classification

For a quarter of a century, the leading minds of Europe puzzled over how to classify the overseas beast. Particularly difficult was the fact that the creature had a lot of characteristics that are found in birds, animals, and amphibians.

The platypus stores all its fat reserves in the tail, and not under the fur on the body. Therefore, the tail of the animal is solid, heavy, and is capable of not only stabilizing the movement of the platypus in the water, but also serves as an excellent means of defense. The weight of the animal fluctuates around one and a half to two kilograms with a length of half a meter. Compare with a domestic cat, which, with the same dimensions, weighs much more. Animals do not have nipples, although they produce milk. The temperature of the bird beast is low, barely reaching 32 degrees Celsius. This is much lower than that of mammals. Among other things, platypuses have one more literally amazing feature. These animals can infect with poison, which makes them quite dangerous opponents. Like almost all reptiles, the platypus lays eggs. What makes platypuses similar to snakes and lizards is their ability to produce poison and the arrangement of their limbs, like those of amphibians. The gait of the platypus is amazing. It moves by bending its body like a reptile. After all, its paws do not grow from below the body, like those of birds or animals. The limbs of this either a bird or an animal are located on the sides of the body, like those of lizards, crocodiles or monitor lizards. High on the animal's head are the eyes and ear openings. They can be found in depressions located on each side of the head. There are no auricles; when diving, it covers its eyes and ears with a special fold of skin.

Mating games

Every year, platypuses hibernate, which lasts 5-10 short periods. winter days. After this comes the mating period. Scientists have recently discovered how the platypus reproduces. It turns out, like all the main events in the life of these animals, the courtship process takes place in water. The male bites the tail of the female he likes, after which the animals circle each other in the water for some time. They do not have permanent pairs; platypus children remain only with the female, who herself raises and raises them.

Waiting for the Cubs

A month after mating, the platypus digs a long, deep hole, filling it with armfuls of wet leaves and brushwood. The female carries everything she needs, wrapping her paws around her and tucking her flat tail under. When the shelter is ready, expectant mother fits into the nest, and covers the entrance to the hole with earth. The platypus lays its eggs in this nesting chamber. The clutch usually contains two, rarely three, small whitish eggs, which are glued together with a sticky substance. The female incubates the eggs for 10-14 days. The animal spends this time curled up in a ball on the masonry, hidden by wet leaves. At the same time, the female platypus can occasionally leave the hole in order to have a snack, clean itself and wet its fur.

Birth of platypuses

After two weeks of residence, a small platypus appears in the clutch. The baby breaks the eggs with an egg tooth. Once the baby emerges from the shell, this tooth falls off. After birth, the female platypus moves the young onto her abdomen. The platypus is a mammal, so the female feeds its young with milk. Platypuses do not have nipples; milk from the enlarged pores on the mother’s belly flows down the fur into special grooves, from where the young lick it off. The mother occasionally goes outside to hunt and clean herself, while the entrance to the hole is blocked with earth.
Up to eight weeks, the cubs need the warmth of their mother and can freeze if left unattended for a long time.

At the eleventh week, the eyes of small platypuses open; after four months, the babies grow to 33 cm in length, grow hair and completely switch to adult food. A little later they leave the hole and begin to lead an adult lifestyle. At the age of one year, the platypus becomes a sexually mature adult.

Platypuses in history

Before the first European settlers appeared on the shores of Australia, platypuses had virtually no external enemies. But their amazing and valuable fur made them an object of hunting for white people. The skins of platypuses, black-brown on the outside and gray on the inside, were at one time used to make fur coats and hats for European fashionistas. And the local residents did not hesitate to shoot the platypus for their own needs. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the decline in the number of these animals acquired alarming proportions. Naturalists sounded the alarm, and the platypus joined the ranks. Australia began to create special reserves for amazing animals. The animals were taken under state protection. The problem was complicated by the fact that the places where the platypus lives must be protected from human presence, since this animal is shy and sensitive. In addition, the massive spread of rabbits on this continent deprived platypuses of their usual nesting places - their holes were occupied by long-eared aliens. Therefore, the government had to allocate huge areas, fenced off from outside interference, in order to preserve and increase the platypus population. Such reserves played a decisive role in preserving the numbers of these animals.

Platypuses in captivity

Attempts have been made to introduce this animal into zoos. In 1922, the first platypus arrived at the New York Zoo and lived in captivity for only 49 days. Due to their desire for silence and increased timidity, the animals never mastered zoos; in captivity, the platypus lays eggs reluctantly, and only a few offspring were obtained. There are no recorded cases of human domestication of these exotic animals. Platypuses were and remain wild and distinctive Australian aborigines.

Platypuses today

Now platypuses are not considered. Tourists enjoy visiting places where the platypus lives. Travelers willingly publish photos of this animal in their stories about Australian tours. Images of bird animals serve hallmark many Australian products and manufacturers. Along with the kangaroo, the platypus has become a symbol of the Australian continent.

This incredible creation surprises with its individuality. It seems that it combines in an unimaginable way the features of a wide variety of living creatures. Lives and swims in water like a fish; moves on land like an amphibian; lays eggs like a bird; feeds its offspring with milk, like a mammal. Scientists for a long time did not believe in the reality of such a creature. They considered it a prank of a joker or a curiosity of nature. But there were no problems with the name. Due to the presence of a huge beak, the animal received the name - platypus. Sometimes it is also called “duck mole”, “water mole”, and in England – “flatfoot”.

Geography of distribution and habitat

The platypus has retained its appearance since the time of dinosaurs. According to zoologists, its age is estimated at 110 million years. Initially, platypuses inhabited the huge continent of Gondwana, and after its division, they managed to survive only in Australia.

IN wild In nature, the animal is found in the eastern part of the southern continent, on the islands of Tasmania and Papua - New Guinea. Lives along the banks of reservoirs. During the day, platypuses rest in burrows, and in the evening they go hunting and hunt until dawn. IN winter time, are often active during daylight hours.

Methods of self-defense

Platypuses dig their homes at a height of 1.2–3.6 m above the water level under an overhanging bank. By appearance, the animal’s lair resembles a semicircular cave with a long passage. For convenience and safety, the animal makes 2 exits: one on the surface of the earth, and the other under water. In the dungeon, water moles escape from bad weather and enemies.

Platypuses can become booty for foxes, large snakes, birds of prey, dingo dogs. At the same time, catching the animal is not at all easy. The water mole is not one to let himself be offended. In case of danger, males defend themselves with poisonous spurs on their hind legs. The platypus is the only mammal that produces venom. If it enters the body, it leads to the death of the animal and causes a long-term painful reaction in humans.

Appearance

Outwardly, the platypus looks quite harmless. The body size is the size of a cat, 45–60 cm. Weight is up to 2.5–2.7 kg. The body is covered with velvety, thick fur. The back is brown and the belly is silvery-white. At the back there is a wide, flattened tail, 10–15 cm long. It partly resembles the tail of a beaver. Fat reserves are stored in the tail, i.e. it acts as a storage facility. While swimming, the platypus uses its tail to correct its movement and “steer.”

The animal's face has several interesting features:

The water mole's paws are not located at the bottom of the body, like other animals, but on the sides, like amphibians. Therefore, the gait is writhing, reminiscent of the movement of a crocodile or monitor lizard. The limbs end in claws, between which there are membranes. The claws help the platypus dig the ground, and the membranes are necessary for swimming. On land, the flatfoot is clumsy, but in the water it is fast and agile.

Nutrition

The platypus belongs to insectivorous mammals. It feeds on small aquatic animals - crustaceans, snails, tadpoles, larvae, worms. On land it is guided by hearing and vision, and under water by touch. During the hunt, the animal comes to the surface to breathe at intervals of 1–2 minutes. If necessary, he can hold his breath for up to 5 minutes.

With its wide beak, the duck mole captures prey along with water. Along the edges of the lower jaw, instead of teeth, there are narrow lateral canals formed by thin horny plates. They act as a sieve for straining feed. The liquid is forced out of the beak, and the catch remains in the cheek pouches. When the bags behind the cheeks are completely filled, the flatfoot comes to land. With the help of horny plates of the upper and lower jaws and two horny teeth on the surface of the tongue, it grinds food and then swallows it.

The platypus has an excellent appetite. He eats an amount of food equal to his weight per day. During the period of incubation of eggs, females eat 2 times more than the average daily norm.

In winter the animals short time(5–10 days) hibernate.

Reproduction

July comes mating season, which lasts until October. Males show increased aggressiveness. Their poison glands noticeably increase in size. They enter into battles for the right to possess the female. The mating ritual takes place in water. The male maneuvers around the female and then grabs her by the tail with his beak. After this, the couple circles together for some time. At this time, mating occurs.

A pregnant female makes a special nest in an underground chamber. She drags water plants, willow branches, and eucalyptus leaves into it. Having settled down in the den, it clogs the entrance with an earthen plug. Precautionary measures help protect yourself and your offspring from predators.

Pregnancy lasts three weeks. The female brings offspring once every 2 years. The platypus is an oviparous mammal. There are 1–2 eggs in one clutch, less often 3–4. The eggs are small in size:

length 1.8–1.8 cm;
diameter 1.4 – 1.5 cm.

Covered with a dense shell, similar to parchment.

Incubation lasts 10–12 days. At this time, the female feeds on earthworms without leaving the nest. The cubs pierce the shell with a special horny tooth, which immediately falls off. They are born blind and open their eyes completely after 11 weeks.

Baby platypuses are very tiny, about 2.5 cm. They climb onto their mother’s fur and lick the milk, which is secreted from the pores on the abdominal cavity and accumulates in special grooves. The female has no mammary glands. Milk the platypus is distinguished by its fat content, a large number squirrel and complete absence Sahara.

The feeding period lasts 4 months. At this time, the mother occasionally leaves the hole to get food for herself. She cannot leave offspring for a long time, since babies are extremely sensitive to temperature conditions. Without heat they quickly die.

The cubs leave the den in January - March, when they grow to 40 cm. Puberty in young animals it occurs at 2 years. The lifespan of a water mole is 10 years.

Population changes

After Europeans met platypuses in late XIX centuries, these unusual animals began to be hunted en masse. Fashionistas fell in love with their beautiful, soft, warm skins. For short period the animal was brought to the brink of complete extinction.

In the middle of the 20th century, an attempt was made breed platypuses in captivity. A couple of animals were brought to a US zoo, but they never received any offspring. At the end of the 20th century, Australian authorities took protection rare species, introduced a ban on the export of animals, created protected areas. Thanks to timely actions, the unique mammal was preserved. Currently, the platypus population in nature is not in danger. Now they are the ones who are revered as living symbols of Australia.

The platypus is an incredible living paradox, fraught with many mysteries.

The platypus (lat. Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a waterfowl mammal of the monotreme order that lives in Australia. It is the only modern representative of the platypus family (Ornithorhynchidae); together with the echidnas, it forms the order of monotremes (Monotremata) - mammals, in a number of characteristics close to reptiles. This unique animal is one of the symbols of Australia; it appears on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent coin.

History of the study

Ever since scientists discovered the beak-nosed platypus in 1797, it has become evolution's mortal enemy. When this amazing animal was sent to England, scientists thought it was a fake made by Chinese taxidermiers. At that time, these craftsmen were famous for connecting different parts of the body of animals and making unusual stuffed animals. After the platypus was discovered, George Shaw introduced it to the public as Platypus anatinus (translated as flat-footed duck). This name did not last long, as another scientist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach changed it to “paradoxical bird's beak”, or Ornithorhynchus paradoxus (translated as paradoxical bird's beak). After much debate between the two scientists over the name of this animal, they finally came to an agreement and decided to call it Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

Taxonomists were forced to classify the platypus as a separate order because it did not belong to any other order. Robert W. Feid explains it this way: “The platypus's nose is like a duck's beak. Each foot has not only five toes, but also webs, making the platypus something of a cross between a duck and an animal that can burrow and dig. Unlike most mammals, the platypus's limbs are short and parallel to the ground. Externally, the ear looks like an opening without the pinna, which is usually present in mammals. The eyes are small. The platypus is an animal that leads night image life. It catches food underwater and stores a supply of food, i.e. worms, snails, larvae and other worms like squirrels in special bags that are located behind his cheeks"

There is a humorous parable according to which the Lord, having created fauna, discovered the remains of " building material”, brought them together and connected them: duck nose, beaver tail, rooster spurs, webbed feet, sharp claws, thick short fur, cheek pouches, etc.

Evolution of the platypus

Monotremes are the surviving members of one of the earliest mammalian lineages. The oldest monotreme discovered in Australia is 110 million years old (Steropodon). It was a small, rodent-like animal that was nocturnal and, most likely, did not lay eggs, but gave birth to severely underdeveloped cubs. A fossilized tooth from another fossil platypus (Obdurodon), found in 1991 in Patagonia, Argentina, indicates that the platypus' ancestors most likely came to Australia from South America, when these continents were part of the supercontinent Gondwana. The closest ancestors of modern

The platypus appeared about 4.5 million years ago, while the earliest fossil specimen of Ornithorhynchus anatinus itself dates back to the Pleistocene. Fossil platypuses resembled modern ones, but were smaller in size. In May 2008, it was announced that the platypus genome had been deciphered.

Description

The body of the platypus is tightly knit, short-legged, covered with thick, pleasant to the touch, dark brown hair, which acquires a grayish or reddish tint on the belly. Its head is round in shape, its eyes, as well as its nasal and ear openings are located in recesses, the edges of which meet tightly when the platypus dives.

The animal itself is small:

Body length is from 30 to 40 cm (males are a third larger than females);
Tail length – 15 cm;
Weight – about 2 kg.

The animal's legs are located on the sides, which is why its gait is extremely reminiscent of the movement of reptiles on land. The animal’s paws have five toes, which are ideally suited not only for swimming, but also for digging: the swimming membrane connecting them is interesting because, if necessary, it can bend so much that the animal’s claws will be on the outside, turning a swimming limb into a digging one.

Since the membranes on the hind legs of the animal are less developed, during swimming it actively uses the front legs, while using the hind legs as a rudder, while the tail acts as a balance. The tail is slightly flat and covered with hair. Interestingly, it can be used to very easily determine the age of the platypus: the older it is, the less fur it has. The animal’s tail is also notable for the fact that it is in it, and not under the skin, that fat reserves are stored.

Beak

The most remarkable thing about the animal’s appearance will probably be its beak, which looks so unusual that it seems that it was once torn off from a duck, repainted black and attached to its fluffy head.

The beak of the platypus differs from the beak of birds: it is soft and flexible. At the same time, like a duck, it is flat and wide: with a length of 65 mm, its width is 50 mm. One more interesting feature The beak is that it is covered with elastic skin, which contains a huge number of nerve endings. Thanks to them, the platypus, while on land, has an excellent sense of smell, and is also the only mammal that senses weak electric fields, which appear during muscle contraction of even the smallest animals, such as crayfish. Such electrolocation abilities enable the blind and deaf to aquatic environment The animal detects prey: to do this, while under water, it constantly turns its head in different directions.

Anatomical features of the platypus

Evolutionists are surprised by the variety of structural features that can be found in the platypus. Looking at its beak, you might think that it is

relative of the duck; by his tail one could classify him as a beaver; his hair is similar to that of a bear; its webbed feet resemble those of an otter; and its claws resemble those of reptiles. Behind all this diversity there is definitely the hand of God, and certainly not evolution!

The physiological diversity of the platypus is simply breathtaking. The spurs located on the hind legs of the platypus give off poisonous substance. This poison is almost as strong as most poisonous snakes! This feature makes the platypus the only poisonous animal in the world whose body is covered with hair. Stuart Burgess, in his book Signs of Design, points out the following:

“The platypus, like an ordinary mammal, feeds its young with milk. However, unlike other mammals, the platypus does not have nipples for feeding. The milk penetrates through the holes located on its body!”

It is with the help of nipples that mammals feed their young. The platypus breaks this rule and uses the holes on its body as a way to feed its young. If we look at these functions of the platypus from the point of view of evolutionary classification, they seem paradoxical. However, from a creationist perspective, explaining why God created something so different from all other animals becomes much easier.

The fossil record also confirms the fact that the platypus is a real being, which did not evolve from a common ancestor. Scott M. Hughes writes: “There are several good reasons to disagree with the evolutionary interpretation of the origin of the platypus.

These some reasons are the following facts:

The fossilized remains of the platypus are absolutely identical to modern forms.
The complex structures of the egg or mammary glands are always fully developed and do not help in any way to explain the origin and development of the platypus's uterus and milk.
More typical mammals are found in strata much lower than the egg-laying platypus. Thus, the platypus - special kind an animal that was specially created to have such varied characteristics."

Evolutionists are unable to explain anatomical structure platypus; they can't explain it physiological characteristics; and they don't know how to explain this animal with evolutionary processes. One thing is clear: the diversity of the platypus leaves evolutionary scientists completely confused.

How does he live and what does he eat?

Australian platypuses live near lakes and rivers, near swamps, and in warm lagoon waters. The 10 m long hole has 2 entrances: one is located under the roots of trees and camouflaged in the thickets, the other is underwater. The entrance to the hole is very narrow. When the owner passes through it, even water is squeezed out of the animal’s coat.

The animal hunts at night and is in the water all the time. He needs food per day, the weight of which is at least a quarter of the weight of the animal itself. It feeds on small animals: frogs and snails, small fish, insects, crustaceans. It even eats algae.

In search of its breakfast, it can turn out stones on land with its beak and claws. Underwater, the fast-moving animal catches its prey in a few seconds. Having caught food, no

eats it right away and stores it in its cheek pouches. When it floats up, it eats, rubbing its prey with horny plates. He has them instead of teeth.

Platypus breeding

The breeding season for platypuses occurs once a year between August and November. During this period, the males swim into the females’ areas, the couple spins in a kind of dance: the male grabs the female by the tail and they swim in a circle. There are no mating fights between males; they also do not form permanent pairs.

Before the mating season begins, all platypuses lie down in hibernation for 5-10 days. Having woken up, the animals actively get down to business. Before mating begins, each male courts the female by biting her tail. The mating season lasts from August to November.

After mating, the female begins to build a brood burrow. It differs from the usual one in being long and at the end of the hole there is a nesting chamber. The female also equips the brood hole inside, placing various leaves and stems in the nesting chamber. Upon completion of construction work, the female closes the corridors to the nesting chamber with plugs from the ground. Thus, the female protects the shelter from floods or attacks by predators. The female then lays eggs. More often it is 1 or 2 eggs, less often 3. Platypus eggs are more like reptile eggs than birds. They are round in shape and covered with a leathery grayish-white shell. Having laid the eggs, the female remains in the hole almost all the time, warming them until the babies hatch.

Platypus cubs appear on the 10th day after laying. Babies are born blind and completely without hair up to 2.5 cm in length. To be born, babies break through the shell with a special egg tooth, which falls out immediately after birth. The mother moves the hatched cubs onto her stomach and feeds them with milk protruding from the pores on the stomach. The new mother does not leave her babies for for a long time, but only for a few hours to hunt and dry the wool.

At the 11th week of life, babies are completely covered with hair and begin to see. The cubs hunt independently as early as 4 months. Young platypuses lead a completely independent life without a mother after the 1st year of life.

Enemies

The platypus has few natural enemies. But at the beginning of the twentieth century. he was on the verge of extinction. In Australia, poachers mercilessly exterminated the animal because of its valuable fur. More than 60 skins were used to sew one fur coat. A complete ban on hunting was successful. Platypuses were saved from complete destruction.

Determination of gender

In 2004, scientists from the Australian National University in Canberra discovered that the platypus has 10 sex chromosomes, rather than two (XY) like most mammals. Accordingly, the combination XXXXXXXXXXX produces a female, and XYXYXYXYXY produces a male. All sex chromosomes are linked into a single complex, which behaves as a single unit in meiosis. Therefore, males produce sperm with chains XXXXX and YYYYY. When sperm XXXXX fertilizes an egg, female platypuses are born if the sperm

YYYYY – male platypuses. Although the platypus chromosome X1 has 11 genes that are found on all mammalian X chromosomes, and chromosome X5 has a gene called DMRT1 that is found on the Z chromosome in birds, being the key sex-determining gene in birds, overall genomic studies have shown that five sexual The X chromosome of the platypus is homologous to the Z chromosome of birds. The platypus does not have the SRY gene (a key gene for sex determination in mammals). It is characterized by incomplete dosage compensation, recently described in birds. Apparently, the mechanism for determining the sex of the platypus is similar to that of its reptile ancestors.

Population status and conservation

Platypuses were previously hunted for their valuable fur, but at the beginning of the 20th century, hunting them was prohibited. Currently, their population is considered relatively stable, although due to water pollution and habitat degradation, the platypus' range is becoming increasingly patchy. It was also caused some damage by the rabbits brought by the colonists, who, by digging holes, disturbed the platypuses, forcing them to leave their habitable places.

Australians have created a special system of nature reserves and “sanctuaries” where platypuses can feel safe. Among them, the most famous are Healesville Nature Reserve in Victoria and West Burleigh in Queensland. The platypus is an easily excitable, timid animal, so for a long time it was not possible to export platypuses to zoos in other countries. The platypus was first successfully exported abroad in 1922 to the New York Zoo, but it only lived there for 49 days. Attempts to breed platypuses in captivity have been successful only a few times.

Relationships with people

Whereas in nature this animal has few enemies (sometimes it is attacked by a python, a crocodile, bird of prey, monitor lizard, fox or accidentally swam seal), at the beginning of the last century it was on the verge of extinction. The hundred-year hunt did its job and destroyed almost everyone: products made from platypus fur turned out to be so popular that poachers had no mercy (about 65 skins are needed to sew one fur coat).

The situation turned out to be so critical that already at the beginning of the last century, hunting for platypuses was completely prohibited. The measures were successful: now the population is quite stable and is not in danger, and the animals themselves, being indigenous to Australia and refusing to breed on other continents, are considered a symbol of the continent and are even depicted on one of the coins.

Where to watch?

To see a live platypus, you can visit Melbourne Zoo or Healesville Australian Animal Sanctuary outside Melbourne. The natural habitat conditions of the platypus in nature are recreated here, and you can almost always observe this amazing animal.

After the discovery of platypuses, scientists for another 27 years did not know which class to classify these animals into. It was only when the German biologist Meckel discovered mammary glands in a female platypus that they were classified as mammals.
Female platypuses lay eggs like reptiles or birds.
Platypuses have the slowest metabolism of all mammals. But if necessary, for example, to warm up in cold water, the platypus can speed up metabolism by 3 times.
The normal body temperature of the platypus is only 32°C.
There are only two mammals that can sense electrical signals, and one of them is the platypus. Using electropolation, platypuses can sense the electrical fields of their prey.
Platypuses are poisonous, but only the males. Each male platypus has spurs on its hind legs that are connected to a gland on its thigh. During the mating season, the gland produces a very strong poison that can easily kill a medium-sized animal, for example, a dingo. Although platypus venom is not fatal to humans.
In male platypuses, the reproductive testes are located inside the body near the kidneys.
Platypuses live only in fresh water, never swimming in salty waters.
The platypus's beak is soft, not hard like a bird's, covered with skin.
The platypus' feet are designed for both swimming and digging.
Female platypuses do not have a brood pouch or nipples. The milk flows straight down the fur, and the babies simply lick it off.
Platypuses live on average about 10 years.
The platypus is featured on the Australian 20 cent coin.
Underwater, platypuses do not see, hear or smell anything, since the valves of the nostrils and the grooves of the ears and eyes are closed.
Every year, platypuses go into hibernation for 5-10 days, after which the mating season begins.

Video

Sources

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus

Platypus amazing creature animal world. This is a beautiful, secretive and shy creature. I call it God's joke. At first glance, it seems as if it was assembled from parts belonging to different animals. A leathery beak, similar to a duck’s, is planted on the shaggy head of an absurd mask. The limbs, like those of reptiles, are widely spaced on the sides, and it swims like a beaver with the help of a massive tail.

The platypus (lat. Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a waterfowl mammal of the monotreme order that lives in Australia. It is the only modern representative of the platypus family (Ornithorhynchidae); together with echidnas it forms the order of monotremes (Monotremata) - animals that are similar to reptiles in a number of characteristics. This unique animal is one of the symbols of Australia; it appears on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent coin.

Platypuses are found in Eastern Australia - from Queensland to Tasmania. They were also brought to Kangaroo Island, off the southern coast of Australia. They usually settle near swamps, along the banks of rivers and lakes, feeling at home in both cold high-mountain streams and warm tropical lagoons. They build deep burrows in which they find shelter and breed. The tight entrance tunnel is designed to squeeze water out of the owner's coat.

Ever since scientists discovered the beak-nosed platypus in 1797, it has become evolution's mortal enemy. When this amazing animal was sent to England, scientists thought that it was a fake made by Chinese taxidermiers. At that time, these craftsmen were famous for connecting different parts of the animal’s body and making unusual stuffed animals. After the platypus was discovered, George Shaw introduced it to the public as Platypus anatinus (translated as flat-footed duck). This name did not last long, as another scientist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach changed it to “paradoxical bird's beak”, or Ornithorhynchus paradoxus (translated as paradoxical bird's beak). After lengthy disputes between these two scientists over the name of this animal, they finally came to agreement and decided to call it “duckbill” or Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

Taxonomists were forced to classify the platypus as a separate order because it did not belong to any other order. Robert W. Feid explains it this way: “The platypus's nose is like a duck's beak. Each foot has not only five toes, but also webs, making the platypus something of a cross between a duck and an animal that can burrow and dig. Unlike most mammals, the platypus's limbs are short and parallel to the ground. Externally, the ear looks like an opening without the pinna, which is usually present in mammals. The eyes are small. The platypus is an animal that is nocturnal. It catches food underwater and stores a supply of food, i.e. worms, snails, larvae and other worms like squirrels in special bags that are located behind his cheeks"

There is a humorous parable according to which the Lord, having created the animal world, discovered the remains of “building material”, collected them together and connected them: a duck’s nose, a beaver’s tail, rooster spurs, webbed feet, sharp claws, thick short fur, cheek pouches, etc. .d.

Nowadays, the unique creature living in Australia is called the platypus, scientifically - platypus (literally: flat paw), in former times they tried to call it a duck mole and a water mole, but these names did not take root. And he is also called the bird beast. What is this strange animal?

Its body length is about 30 cm, including the tail - up to 55 cm, the weight of an adult is about 2 kg. As with many other animal species, male platypus are noticeably larger than females. Squat, with a large tail somewhat similar to a beaver, the platypus gets its eloquent name from its soft beak covered with elastic skin.

The platypus is one of the few poisonous mammals(along with some shrews and sawtooths), which have toxic saliva.

Young platypuses of both sexes have the rudiments of horny spurs on their hind legs. In females they fall off by the age of one year, but in males they continue to grow, reaching 1.2-1.5 cm in length by the time of puberty. Each spur is connected by a duct to the femoral gland, which produces a complex “cocktail” of poisons during the mating season. Males use spurs during mating fights. Platypus venom can kill dingoes or other small animals. For humans, it is generally not fatal, but it causes very severe pain, and swelling develops at the injection site, which gradually spreads to the entire limb. Painful sensations (hyperalgesia) can last for many days or even months. Other oviparous animals - echidnas - also have rudimentary spurs on their hind legs, but they are not developed and are not poisonous.

This ovipositor has a provocative appearance: a duck nose, a beaver tail and paws like an otter. European naturalists were very puzzled when they first saw the platypus. They even thought that this animal was the latest creation of local jokers. But when the bird-beast injected a portion of poison into one of the naturalists, it became clear that this was a serious matter.
Immediately after the discovery of the strange animal by Europeans, a specimen of the platypus was sent to Great Britain. British scientists did not believe their eyes and suggested that this was another craft from oriental magicians. Between swallowing fire, collecting sailboats in bottles and charming snakes by playing the pipe, they also make a living by sewing duck beaks onto beavers. Scientists even trimmed the fur on the animal’s body to see if there were any seams.
As we studied, we discovered some more features in the structure of this interesting animal that are not immediately noticeable. The platypus stores fat reserves not under the skin, like humans, but in the tail. His nose looks like rubber (almost like a duck’s). Weight - from one kilogram to two and a half. And the size of platypuses is about half a meter. Despite the fact that this creature is a mammal (in the sense that it feeds and itself feeds on its mother’s milk as a child), it does not have nipples. Milk is released through the pores of the skin. The platypus differs from other mammals in this way: its body temperature is, on average, 32°C, and not 37°C, as is usually customary among animals and people. And one more thing - to the question of where the paws grow from. So, the paws of a bird animal grow not like those of animals and not even like those of birds, but - like those of reptiles, lizards, for example, or crocodiles - that is, they grow not from the lower part of the body, but on the sides. This affects your gait.

The platypus is a rather dangerous enemy for those it feeds on. Firstly, this animal is very voracious, it is forced to eat 20% of own weight, so he hunts 12 hours a day. And secondly, it is very difficult to leave him. The predator has only 30 seconds that it can spend underwater - and during this time it must have time to detect and catch prey. But the platypus - excellent swimmer, it rows with four webbed feet and a tail and develops enormous speed. The hunter brings his prey to the surface behind the cheek, which holds a lot, and eats it there. In the old days, people themselves often killed the platypus - its fur was very good. But already at the beginning of the 20th century, hunting for furry bird animals was banned. However, the platypus is not able to live in water bodies polluted by humans, and in captivity it reproduces poorly, so it is in danger of extinction.

Evolutionists are unable to explain the anatomical structure of the platypus; they cannot explain its physiological characteristics; and they don't know how to explain this animal using evolutionary processes. One thing is clear: the diversity of the platypus leaves evolutionary scientists completely confused. This being can only be explained as the result of the guiding hand of God.

The platypus belongs to the order of mammals. Its close relative is the echidna; together with it they form the order Monotremes. only on one continent - Australia.

The zoological European world first started talking about platypuses only in 1797. And immediately after the discovery of the animal, disputes began to arise as to who it was, a bird, a reptile or a mammal? The answer to the question was given by the German biologist Meckel, who discovered mammary glands in a female platypus. After this discovery, platypuses were classified as mammals.

What does a platypus look like?

The platypus is a small animal, reaching 30-40 centimeters in length. Its tail is flat, similar to a beaver's tail, only covered with hair, 10-15 cm long. The platypus's head is round, and on its muzzle there is a flat beak up to 6.5 cm long and 5 cm wide. Fat is deposited in the back of the tail. The structure of the platypus's beak is very different from that of birds. The beak of the platypus consists of two long arched bones covered with elastic and soft skin. In the oral cavity there are cheek pouches into which the platypus collects prey.

The platypus' feet are equipped with five fingers, between which there are swimming membranes. In addition, the animal has claws on its fingers, designed for digging the ground. The membranes on the hind legs of the platypus are poorly developed, so main role When swimming, the forelimbs act out. When the animal moves on land, its gait is similar to that of a reptile.

Platypus breeding

Before the start of the mating season, all platypuses go into hibernation for 5-10 days. Having woken up, the animals actively get down to business. Before mating begins, each male courts the female by biting her tail. The mating season lasts from August to November.

Platypus cubs appear on the 10th day after laying. Babies are born blind and completely without hair up to 2.5 cm in length. To be born, babies break through the shell with a special egg tooth, which falls out immediately after birth. The mother moves the hatched cubs onto her stomach and feeds them with milk protruding from the pores on the stomach. The new mother does not leave her babies for a long time, but only for a few hours to hunt and dry the fur.