The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), or Duck-billed Platypus, is a curious looking semi-aquatic mammal found in eastern Australia. Part of the echidna family, it is one of five species of monotremes - mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
The platypus has a bizarre appearance consisting of a duck-billed snout, beaver-like-tail and otter type feet. The male platypus is one of the few venomous mammals, with a hidden spur on its hind foot capable of delivering a venom causing severe pain, and swelling to humans.
The mammal's unique features have made it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology. It is a proud symbol of Australia, appearing as both the animal emblem for the state of New South Wales, and on the reverse of the Australian 20 Cent coin.
Up until the early 20th century the platypus was hunted for its fur, but is now a protected species. Though it is not under any immediate threat, the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, and many breeding programs have been unsuccessful.
As with most animals, the Platypus is bilaterally symmetric. Bilateral symmetry is a characteristic of animals that are capable of moving freely through their environments. Also called plane symmetry, bilateral symmetry means that only one plane, called the sagittal plane, divides an organism along a central axis. This basically means an animal, such as a platypus can be divided into two equal halves.
The platypus has a bizarre appearance consisting of a duck-billed snout, beaver-like-tail and otter type feet. The male platypus is one of the few venomous mammals, with a hidden spur on its hind foot capable of delivering a venom causing severe pain, and swelling to humans.
The mammal's unique features have made it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology. It is a proud symbol of Australia, appearing as both the animal emblem for the state of New South Wales, and on the reverse of the Australian 20 Cent coin.
Up until the early 20th century the platypus was hunted for its fur, but is now a protected species. Though it is not under any immediate threat, the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, and many breeding programs have been unsuccessful.
As with most animals, the Platypus is bilaterally symmetric. Bilateral symmetry is a characteristic of animals that are capable of moving freely through their environments. Also called plane symmetry, bilateral symmetry means that only one plane, called the sagittal plane, divides an organism along a central axis. This basically means an animal, such as a platypus can be divided into two equal halves.
