Early European scientists were dumbfounded by the platypus due to its unusual physiology. While still the subject of well-deserved curiosity, today the platypus is an iconic Australian species.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s Janice Mentiplay-Smith said the remarkable monotreme (egg-laying mammal) fed mainly at night upon a varied menu including tadpoles, water bugs, worms, yabbies and insects.
“The platypus does not have teeth; instead, it has grinding plates located at the back of its jaws that are made of keratin, the same protein found in hair, claws, horns, and hooves,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“The grinding plates mash food into a paste which travels straight to the intestines. This ‘pre-mashing’ negates the need for a larger stomach containing the usual digestive acids or enzymes.”
The platypus breeds at four years of age. Deep within the safety of her burrow, the pregnant female lays one or two eggs and nurtures them between her tail and rump.
Jellybean-sized babies emerge after just 10 days of incubation and for the next four months feed on fatty milk that seeps from pores on their mother’s skin.
“An animal that lays eggs and feeds its young milk is a curious thing; an evolutionary quirk shared only with the echidna. It makes you realise just how amazing our Australian wildlife is,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
To add to the curiousness of platypus, the male has a venomous spur on each hind foot, which is most likely used in battle with other males. While a spike may cause pain and swelling, the venom is not life-threatening to humans.
The Australian Platypus Conservancy is the place to keep up-to-date with information and find out how to practically help this amazing species. Visit the website: https://platypus.asn.au/
The Catchment Critter of the month is part of Goulburn Broken CMA’s Our Catchments Our Communities Taking Care of Country project.
Read more about the platypus and other mammal species in the Goulburn Broken catchment in The Mammal Book, a 58-page booklet featuring beautiful photos and informative text. To view a copy, visit: https://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/our-region/land_and_biodiversity/resources_publications/the-mammal-book
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