![]() ![]() The first upper and third lower cheek teeth of platypus nestlings are small, each having one principal cusp, while the other teeth have two main cusps. Modern platypus young have three teeth in each of the maxillae (one premolar and two molars) and dentaries (three molars), which they lose before or just after leaving the breeding burrow adults have heavily keratinisedpads in their place. ![]() ![]() When on land, it engages in knuckle-walking on its front feet, to protect the webbing between the toes. The platypus has extra bones in the shoulder girdle, including an interclavicle, which is not found in other mammals.It has a reptilian gait, with the legs on the sides of the body, rather than underneath. However, the external opening of the ear still lies at the base of the jaw. As in all true mammals, the tiny bones that 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. The first upper and third lower cheek teeth of platypus nestlings are small, each having one principal cusp, while the other teeth have two main cusps.The platypus jaw is constructed differently from that of other mammals, and the jaw-opening muscle is different. Modern platypus young have three teeth in each of the maxillae(one premolar and two molars) and dentaries (three molars), which they lose before or just after leaving the breeding burrow adults have heavily keratinised pads in their place. Research suggests this has been a gradual adaptation to harsh environmental conditions on the part of the small number of surviving monotreme species rather than a historical characteristic of monotremes. The platypus has an average body temperature of about 32 ☌ (90 ☏) rather than the 37 ☌ (99 ☏) typical of placental mammals. 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), 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. Platypuses have been heard to emit a low growl when disturbed and a range of other vocalizations have been reported in captive specimens. 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. The webbing is more significant on the front feet and is folded back when walking on land 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. 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 platypus uses its tail for storage of fat reserves (an adaptation also found in animals such as the Tasmania devil and fat-tailed sheep). The fur is waterproof, and the texture is akin to that of a mole. 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. In the wild, the platypus has an average lifespan around 6 years however, a platypus in captivity usually lives between 10-15 years.Scientific Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus Baby platypuses are born underdeveloped and only about the size of a lima bean. The platypus mates during the spring, and a pregnant female lays a clutch of up to 3 leathery eggs deep inside her burrow 10 days after fertilization. The platypus is therefore categorized as a nocturnal carnivore. The platypus rests 17 hours a day, and is only active for about 7 hours in the night. The platypus has poor eyesight under water, and usually hunts at night so the platypus locates its prey with special receptor cells in its duck-bill capable of detecting small changes in electrical fields caused by their prey. The beaver-like tail stores fat that provides energy in times when food is scarce. The platypus can hold its breath up to 2 minutes under water, but must surface often to breathe in air. The platypus is covered with a water resistant double layer of fur that provides warmth and keeps the platypus dry. ![]()
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