Fun facts about platypuses! By Keira Lin Ziying
These are some interesting fact about platypuses!
1. Platypus live in rivers, streams, bodies of freshwater mostly in eastern Australia
Platypus require cool freshwater, banks soft enough to dig burrows and invertebrates(which is what they feed on) to survive. Eastern Australia has those habitat conditions, thus they are able to live there.
2. Male platypuses have venom!
Male platypuses has venom to help males compete for mates. While the venom may not be lethal, it may be able to paralyse smaller animals.
3. Platypus can lay eggs!
Most mammals give birth to their young. While platypuses are also mammals, they however lay eggs instead. Another mammal who also is a mammal and lays eggs is the spiny anteater.
4. Platypus sweat milk!
Unlike us humans who sweat normally, these animals sweat milk! It may look like normal sweat at the first glance but it is not. Their milk contains powerful antibacterial proteins to remove bacteria.
5. Platypus glow in the dark!
Platypus, like scorpions and dragonfish can glow in the dark! This is how they do it- Platypus are biofluorescent, meaning they absorb light in one wavelength and emits it in another wavelength, causing it to glow.
6. Platypus have a ‘sixth sense’!
Platypus have electroreception, which is the ability to detect small electric charges made by its prey. This ability helps the platypus to catch its prey easier. Its bill is the one that helps it.
7. Platypus have been featured on the television before!
Other than that, the cartoon show ‘Taz-mania’ also features the platypus brothers!



Comments
Post a Comment