Platypus'

☺  Platypus’  ☺

Did you know platypus’ are one of the only mammals that lay eggs? Only two mammals in the entire world that we know of lay eggs. Unlike bird eggs the baby platypus is already alive inside the egg. Also, to add to the weirdness of platypus’ they are one of the only mammals that have poison. Platypus’ also have some type of sense, electro-reception. They close their eyes, ears, and nose when they dive. This is very awkward because you’d never know if you’d crash into something or if you’re even close to prey. However, they know through an electro-receptor  on their bills that pick up senses such as a shrimps’ tail  from 10 centimeters away.

When the first platypus was found in Europe a long time back, people thought it was the work of someone sewing a duck’s bill to the back of a mole or beaver-shaped animal.  But, it is closer to a beaver because the fur is waterproof unlike the fur of a mole. But, it’s still not close  to any other mammal we know. This is because it is a mix of lots of mammals. Eighty percent is a mix.

Platypus’ like to eat annelid worms, insect larvae, crayfish, and freshwater shrimp. The mouth isn’t exactly the bill- it’s under the bill!

And, to wrap this up, the Europeans were wrong about it being sewn. Even if it was sewn the platypus’ bill is much more useful than any other bill that humankind knows presently.  ☺ By Matthew  Billings-Chui    ☺