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What three animals is a platypus a combination of?
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 to live young….Platypus.
| Platypus Temporal range: Miocene to Recent | |
|---|---|
| Order: | Monotremata |
| Family: | Ornithorhynchidae |
| Genus: | Ornithorhynchus Blumenbach, 1800 |
| Species: | O. anatinus |
The platypus and its closest relative, the echidna, belong to an order of mammals called the monotremes (Monotremata). They are the only representatives of this group left, surviving among the marsupials of Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea.
Are platypus mixed breed?
It’s not that the platypus has mixed ancestry, so it’s not a true hybrid. One set of genes that platypuses and more typical mammals share are those that produce the casein proteins that make up milk, Wilson’s team found.
What family is the platypus in?
Platypuses
Platypus/Family
Are beavers and platypus related?
Accordingly, while the platypus shares some physical features with birds, beavers and reptiles, the only animal that can be considered a relative of the platypus is the echidna.
Found in Australian fresh water and estuaries, platypuses are small furry mammals with a distinct bill and a wide beaverlike tail. The classification of the platypus as a mammal—the same group of animals that includes dolphins, elephants, and humans—has not always been self-evident.
What makes a platypus different from other animals?
Platypus, small amphibious Australian mammal noted for its odd combination of primitive features and special adaptations, especially the flat, almost comical duck-beak-like bill. Adding to the animal’s distinctive appearance are conspicuous white patches of fur under the eyes.
What kind of food does a platypus eat?
The platypus is a bottom-feeder that uses its beaver-like tail to steer and its webbed feet to propel itself through the water while hunting for insects, shellfish, and worms. The watertight nostrils on its bill remain sealed so that the animal can stay submerged for up to two minutes as…
What kind of animal is a duck billed platypus?
Sometimes known as a duck-billed platypus, this curious mammal combines the characteristics of many different species in one. The platypus is a duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed, egg-laying aquatic creature native to Australia.
Where can you find a platypus in the world?
The platypus is a remarkable mammal found only in Australia. Sometimes known as a duck-billed platypus, this curious mammal combines the characteristics of many different species in one.