![]() When first discovered, the unusual look of a Platypus caused considerable confusion and doubt amongst European naturalists and scientists, many of whom believed that the animal was a fake. The full-term, subspheroidal, intrauterine egg of the platypus has a major axis of about 17 mm and contains a flat, 19-20 somite, neurula-stage embryo which has prominent trigeminal ganglion primordia. Information on the prehatching development of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, is reliant on a small number of specimens, whose precise age is unknown. Males have a venomous spur above the heel of each hind leg which some scientists believe are used to assert dominance over other males during breeding season. The Platypus is the only Australian mammal known to be venomous. Description: Echidnas, sometimes known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order. The platypus is a duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed, egg-laying aquatic creature native to Australia. Sometimes known as a duck-billed platypus, this curious mammal combines the characteristics of many different species in one. It is richly supplied with touch and electro- receptors that can detect weak currents emitted by the muscles of its prey. Echidna and Platypus, Egg-Laying Mammals. The platypus is a remarkable mammal found only in Australia. The platypus has a leathery beak which works very well as a device for sifting small invertebrates from the bottom of a river bed. While the platypus has 40,000 electroreceptors on its bill, echidnas have only 400-2,000 electroreceptors on their snouts. Platypuses don’t have pouches, and the mother curls her body and tail around the eggs for 10-12 days to keep them warm. I didn’t make that up it’s the real word for a baby platypus or echidna. Guess what the young platypus inside an egg is called A puggle. Like the platypus, the echidna has an electroreceptive system. These unique mammals lay small, spherical eggs with one youngster inside each. The soft egg-laying habit of monotremes is a notable reptilian feature that has been kept in this group of mammals. The platypus and echidna have both survived by occupying ecological niches. ![]() Along with echidnas, platypus are grouped in a separate order of mammals known as monotremes, which are distinguished from all other mammals because they lay eggs. Ornithorhynchus anatinus, is a unique Australian species.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |