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Duckbill Platypus

Duckbill Platypus. An Amazing Mammal By: Miss Fulghum. OBJECTIVES Students will be able to:. Describe characteristics of the duckbill platypus that help it survive Understand the basic needs of the duckbill platypus. LOCATION. Eastern Australia Tasmania

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Duckbill Platypus

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  1. Duckbill Platypus An Amazing Mammal By: Miss Fulghum

  2. OBJECTIVESStudents will be able to: • Describe characteristics of the duckbill platypus that help it survive • Understand the basic needs of the duckbill platypus

  3. LOCATION • Eastern Australia • Tasmania • They live near freshwater lakes and rivers.

  4. EXISTENCE? • In the 1700’s, European scientists thought that the platypus did not exist. • Naturalists from Australia sent a live platypus to Europe to prove its existence.

  5. CONSERVATION • Platypus was close to extinction in the 19th century because they were hunted for their fur. • Fishermen did not like them because they like to eat fish. • Now, they are protected by law.

  6. HOME • They live in burrows that they dig underground near water. • Burrows can be up to 60 feet long.

  7. CLASSIFICATION • These mammals are classified as Monotremes. • There are only two animals in this group: Platypus and Echidna. • They are the only mammals that lay eggs rather than give birth.

  8. CHARACTERISTICS • Mammal • Webbed feet • Beaver-like tail • Bill like a duck that has sensitive nerve endings • Bill is a long snout that is soft, leathery skin • Lays eggs • Produces milk for young • Can live up to 15 years in the wild

  9. SIZE AND COLOR • Body is 14 inches long • Tail is 5 inches long • Males are usually slightly larger than females. • Colors vary from yellowish to dark brown.

  10. FUR • Fur is fine and dense. • There are two layers: undercoat and long guard fur. • Together, the layers trap air in order to keep the platypus dry even after swimming for long periods of time. • Water never gets through to the skin.

  11. SWIMMING • The platypus has webbed feet and a tail like a beaver. • This helps them dive and swim through the water with ease. • They close their eyes and ears when swimming. • 12 hours a day

  12. HUNTING • Use the sense of touch • Have no teeth • Bills are used to detect tiny electrical charges from muscle activity. • Detect these traces from 2-4” away. • Stores food in cheek pouches.

  13. FOOD • Worms • Fish • Tadpoles • Frogs • Crustaceans

  14. NATURAL ENEMIES • Large fish • Some snakes • Humans

  15. PROTECTION • Males have hind feet claws (spurs) on their ankles that connect to a venom gland. • Toxin is strong enough to kill a dog and can cause severe pain in humans. • Spurs are used when they fight with another male platypus.

  16. BABIES • Females usually lay two soft, leathery eggs but may lay up to four. • She clasps the eggs against her abdomen with her tail for about two weeks. • Milk is produced by glands under mother’s skin, and the baby licks milk from her fur.

  17. BABIES • Have no fur • Blind for about two months • Have teeth for a short time • Helpless

  18. Review • Unique mammals • Lay eggs • Live near fresh water • Have no teeth as adults • Have webbed feet and beaver-like tail

  19. The End!

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