Question

What are some unique features of the platypus?

Answer 1

The platypus is a unique mammal with several distinctive features:

1. Duck-like bill: The platypus has a bill similar to that of a duck, which it uses to hunt for food underwater.
2. Webbed feet: It has webbed feet that help it swim efficiently in water.
3. Egg-laying: The platypus is one of the few mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
4. Venomous spurs: Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their hind legs that are used for defense during mating season.
5. Electroreception: The platypus has electroreceptors in its bill, which help it detect prey underwater by sensing electric fields.
6. Fur and milk production: They produce milk to feed their young, but unlike other mammals, they do not have teats. Instead, they secrete milk through pores in their skin which the young platypuses lap up.