The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, includingTasmania.

Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth. It is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record. The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the fewvenomous mammals, the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of its 20-cent coin. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.
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Until the early 20th century, it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Although captive breeding programmes have had only limited success and the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not under any immediate threat.
Contents
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1 Taxonomy and etymology 2 Description

o o o

2.1 Venom 2.2 Electrolocation 2.3 Eyes

3 Ecology and behaviour

3.1 Reproduction

4 Evolution 5 Conservation status 6 Platypus in wildlife sanctuaries 7 Cultural references 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References 11 External links

Taxonomy and etymology

British scientists' initial hunch was that

George Shaw, who produced the first description of the animal in the Naturalist's
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Miscellany in 1799, stated it was impossible not to entertain doubts as to its genuine nature, and Robert Knoxbelieved it might have been produced by some Asian taxidermist. It was thought that somebody had sewn a

duck's beak onto the body of a beaver-like animal. Shaw even took a pair of scissors to the dried skin to check for stitches.
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The common name "platypus" is the latinisation of the Greek word (platupous), "flat-footed", (platus), "broad, wide, flat" beetle (genus Platypus).
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from

and (pous), "foot".

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Shaw assigned it as a Linnaean genus name when

he initially described it, but the term was quickly discovered to belong already to the wood-boring ambrosia It was independently described as Ornithorhynchus paradoxus by Johann Blumenbach in
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1800 (from a specimen given to him by Sir Joseph Banks) later officially recognised as Ornithorhynchus anatinus. like" in Latin.
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and following the rules of priority of nomenclature it was

The scientific name Ornithorhynchus anatinus is derived

from (ornithorhynkhos), which literally means "bird snout" in Greek, and anatinus, which means "duck-

There is no universally agreed plural of "platypus" in the English language. Scientists generally use "platypuses" or simply "platypus". Colloquially, the term "platypi" is also used for the plural, although this is technically incorrect and a form of pseudo-Latin;
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the correct Greek plural would be "platypodes". EarlyBritish settlers called it by many names,
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such as watermole, duckbill, and duckmole.

The name "platypus" is often prefixed with the adjective "duck-billed"

to form duck-billed platypus, despite there being only one species of platypus.

Description
The body and the broad, flat tail of the platypus are covered with dense, brown fur that traps a layer of insulating air to keep the animal warm.
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The fur is waterproof, and the texture is akin to that of a mole.

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The platypus uses its

tail for storage of fat reserves (an adaptation also found in animals such as theTasmanian devil

and fat-tailed

sheep). It has webbed feet and a large, rubbery snout; these features appear closer to those of a duck than to those of any known mammal. The webbing is more significant on the front feet and is folded back when walking on land.
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Unlike a bird's beak (in which the upper and lower parts separate to reveal the mouth), the snout of the

platypus is a sensory organ with the mouth on the underside. The nostrils are located on the dorsal surface of the snout, while the eyes and ears are located in a groove set just back from it; this groove is closed when swimming.
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Platypuses have been heard to emit a low growl when disturbed and a range of other vocalisations
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have been reported in captive specimens.

A colour print of platypuses from 1863

Weight varies considerably from 0.7 to 2.4 kg (1.5 to 5.3 lb), with males being larger than females; males average 50 cm (20 in) in total length, while females average 43 cm (17 in),
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with substantial variation in average size from

one region to another, and this pattern does not seem to follow any particular climatic rule and may be due to other environmental factors, such as predation and human encroachment.

The platypus has an average body temperature of about 32C (90F) rather than the 37C (99F) typical of placental mammals.
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Research suggests this has been a gradual adaptation to harsh environmental conditions on the part of
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the small number of surviving monotreme species rather than a historical characteristic of monotremes.

Modern platypus young have three-cusped molars, which they lose before or just after leaving the breeding burrow;
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adults have heavily keratinised pads in their place.

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The platypus jaw is constructed differently from As in all true mammals, the tiny bones that
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that of other mammals, and the jaw-opening muscle is different.

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conduct sound in the middle ear are fully incorporated into the skull, rather than lying in the jaw as in cynodonts and other premammalian synapsids. However, the external opening of the ear still lies at the base of the jaw. has areptilian gait, with the legs on the sides of the body, rather than underneath. in knuckle-walking to protect the webbing between its toes.
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The
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platypus has extra bones in the shoulder girdle, including an interclavicle, which is not found in other mammals. When on land, it engages

It