This weeks animal is the Platypus . the Platypus is the only member of the mammal family Ornithorhynchidae. This unique animal has a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. The male platypus's body is about 50 - 60 centimeters long and the female is about 40 - 50 centimeters long. An adult male platypus weighs about 2 kilograms and a female platypus weighs about .9 kilograms. The outer hair is a dark brown with yellowish hair on its underside. Platypus's diet consists of yabbies(various insect larvae), shrimp, crayfish, earth worms, meal worms, May flies, dragonflies, mussels, trout eggs, frog eggs, tadpoles, small frogs and fish. The platypus locates its prey underwater by sensing the electric current created by the prey's muscle movements, this is why the platypus is such an excellent hunter at night or in murky water.
The platypus is generally a solitary animal with its own specific home range in which it feeds and lives. The platypus is shy and wary. It tends to be a nocturnal creature and generally only leaves its burrow in the early morning and evening.
The platypus sleeps in a burrow for up to 17 hours a day. The average camping burrow is 1 - 3 meters longs with the entrance hidden underwater or just above the water level. An adult platypus uses its long claws to dig through the soft river banks. It is calculated that a platypus can dig one meter of tunnel in two hours. Grooming of the fur is very important and is done in the water as well as on the land.
The platypus is found in all freshwater creeks, rivers, and lakes of eastern Australia from the Cooktown area in the north to Tasmania in the south. It can be found in 26 of 31 river systems in Victoria. Platypuses like long pools with solid angled banks, slow flowing water, pool depths of one to two meters, plenty of aquatic vegetation, and a good quantity of water-dwelling invertebrates.
The platypus is protected by law throughout Australia. Even though it is common in Australia, it is considered vulnerable due to the continuing loss of its natural habitat due to damming, drainage, and pollution.
Fun Fact: When the English came to Australia to put prisoners into exile they found the platypus and thought somebody had sewn on a ducks feet and bill to a beavers body.
