Platypus

Platypus
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Monotremata Family: Ornithorhynchidae Genus: Ornithorhynchus Blumenbach, 1800 Species: O. anatinus
Binomial name
Ornithorhynchus anatinus Shaw, 1799
Synonyms
Genus: Platypus Shaw, 1799 Species: Platypus anatinus (Shaw, 1799) Ornithorhynchus paradoxus (Blumenbach, 1800) Ornithorhynchus fuscus (Péron, 1807) Ornithorhynchus rufus (Péron, 1807) Ornithorhynchus crispus (Macgillivray, 1827) Ornithorhynchus laevis (Macgillivray, 1825) Ornithorhynchus paradoxi (Meckel, 1827) Ornithorhynchus brevirostris (Ogilby, 1832) Ornithorhynchus novaehollandiae (Lacépède, 1800) Ornithorhynchus phoxinus (Thomas, 1923) Ornithorhynchus triton (Thomas, 1923)

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is the only living semiaquatic monotreme, and the only species of the genus Ornithorhynchus. The only other members of the order Monotremata (monotremes) are the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatis) from Australia and the long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) from New Guinea. Unlike all other mammals, the monotremes, including platypuses (often incorrectly spelled platypi) lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young.

Range and habitat

The platypus is found only in the wetter parts of south-eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania. They inhabit rivers, lagoons and streams of less than 5 m depth, preferring to live in steep-banked areas where there are roots, overhanging vegetation, reeds and logs. They have been recorded at elevations greater than 1,000 m.

The extent of the home range varies, depending on the region, but ranges from 0.4 to 7 km. Platypuses that forage in streams generally have larger home ranges than those that forage in ponds or pools.

Lifespan

Although there is little evidence about their lifespan, it is believed that platypuses may live up to 12 years in the wild.

Diet

The primary diet of platypuses is aquatic invertebrates. They also eat small fish, fish eggs and shrimp.

Predators

Platypuses are preyed upon by foxes, humans and dogs, as well as snakes, birds of prey, feral cats and large eels. The role of introduced species in predation is notable and concerning.

References

• Ojo, E., Omland, K. "Ornithorhynchus anatinus", Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved on 23 August 2008.

• Pasitschniak-Arts, Maria; Marinelli, Lui (1998). "Ornithorhynchus anatinus". Mammalian Species 585: 1–9.