The Strange Platypus

Children study a living platypus.

       The platypus or duckbill is the queerest of all mammals. It has a beak like a duck, a flat tail like a beaver, four legs, and webbed feet. It can live either on land or in the water.

       Although the platypus is a mammal it lays eggs. These are usually two in number, white in color and one-third the size of a hen’s egg. They are complete with yolk, white and shell. After the eggs have been laid, the mother curls her body around them to keep them warm until the young are hatched.

       The newly hatched babies are about the size of a lima bean and have the appearance of a grub worm—smooth, white, and shiny. The mother’s milk flows out on her skin and they suck it from her hair. At first the babies have teeth, but these soon fall out to make way for the tough, horny plates with which the adults grind their food. In very young animals the beak is soft, resembling a pair of thick lips. The young grow very fast and after two or three months are able to take care of themselves.

       The duckbill is found only along the banks of streams in eastern Australia and on the island of Tasmania. Its webbed feet, broad tail, and the flattened shape of its body make it a strong swimmer. Its food consists of snails, worms, and water insects which it collects in its cheek pouches by straining mud from the bottom of the stream through notches in the edges of its horny bill. The platypus may stay under the water for as long as ten minutes if it has been frightened, but the usual length of time is about one minute. Duckbills enjoy playing in the water and may sometimes be seen floating downstream on their backs. When floating, the body is held in a U-shaped position with the head and tail raised out of the water, while the furry little animals slowly munch the food which they have gathered on the bottom of the stream.

       Even though the platypus is very fond of the water, it cannot be wet for too long a time. There must be a warm, dry place where it can comb its fur and can sleep and rest. So the mother builds an elaborate burrow in the river bank. This usually has two entrances. One opening is under water, and the other is often hidden in a mass of weeds in a dry place above the surface of the stream. This second entrance is used when the platypus comes out in the late afternoon to sun itself and get thoroughly warm and dry. The two entrances connect by means of tunnels with a room where the platypus builds its warm nest of rushes and grasses. In this nest the eggs are laid and brooded. When the platypus goes into its den, it usually plugs up the tunnel in several places with earth, This protects it from the animals which might wander in and disturb its slumber.

       The father platypus is the only poisonous mammal in the world. On the inner side of the hind leg he carries a horny spur which is hollow and is connected by a long tube with a poison gland. The venom from this gland resembles that of a snake but is not so deadly.

       The voice of these curious animals is like a tremulous snore. The mother platypus often uses her voice to call her babies, especially while she is teaching them to swim. They answer with a lower, softer growl.

       The duckbill is looked upon by scientists as a modern illustration of an ancient transitional form of life, produced while nature was developing reptiles, birds, and mammals from the primitive types of animals which existed several million years ago. The body structure of the duckbill shows close resemblances to some ancient fossils. Some of the bones are shaped like those of reptiles, but most of them are like the bones of mammals.

       This peculiar and interesting animal does not live long if taken away from its natural home. This makes the study of its habits difficult because it is shy and timid and generally comes out of its burrow only at night. Once captured, however, it is gentle and easily tamed, recognizes its friends, and answers to its name. Woods.

Zoos Victoria teaches about twin platypus.