TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 Platypuses locate their prey using electrical signal?!.
02 They are one of the few mammal species that lay eggs!
03 Platypuses don’t have stomachs!
04 Male platypuses have venomous spurs!
05 Platypus venom could help scientists create an effective treatment for diabetes!!!!!!!
06 Early scientists thought that platypuses were fake?
07 The English plural of “platypus” isn’t agreed upon.
08 Platypuses only live in a small area in Australia?
09 Platypuses are carnivores?!
10 PLATIPI LIVE ON!!!!!!
Platypuses locate their prey using electrical signals.
Unusual anatomy aside, one of the platypus facts that sets them apart from other mammals is their ability to detect electrical impulses. Out of all mammals, only egg-laying mammals (monotremes) and one species of dolphin has this special sense called electroreception. Through sensing electrical signals generated by muscle contractions, platypi (PULRAL!!!!!!) can determine their prey’s location.
Platypuses detect electrical signals through specialized receptors on the skin of their bills. Their bills also have an abundance of touch receptors that give the platypuses a strong sense of touch. Since they mostly use their bills to locate prey, platypuses usually shake their heads from side to side when they dive. Among all existing monotremes, platypuses have the strongest sense of electroreception. So don't get on a platypuses bad side or you'll get put down like four-set pair of ultra supreme socks! :)
They are one of the few mammal species that lay eggs.
One of the oddest platypus facts is that despite being mammals, they lay eggs like birds and reptiles. To date, only five existing species of mammals lay eggs: the four species of echidnas, and the platypus. Until 1884, it wasn’t confirmed whether the platypus laid eggs.
Collectively, these egg-laying mammals are referred to as monotremes. Although they lay eggs, they are genetically closest to mammals and have the essential characteristics that define mammals. Monotremes have fur, three bones in the middle ear, and a neocortex. They also feed their young through mammary glands, which is the most distinctive aspect of being a mammal. These cute guys are WACKY!!!
Platypuses don’t have stomachs!
If you’re looking for bizarre platypus facts, here’s one for you: they don’t have stomachs. Surprisingly, other monotremes such as the echidnas don’t have them either. While most jawed vertebrates evolved with stomachs, platypuses, echidnas, and many species of fish lost their stomachs through their evolutionary history.
At some point in time, platypuses and other stomach-less species moved past the need for stomachs, but the reason remains unclear. Some experts suggest that these species had diets that simply did not need the help of enzymes to break them down. Wow thats cool!
Male platypuses have venomous spurs?!
The duck-billed platypus is one of the few mammals that can produce venom. Both male and female platypuses have spurs on their ankles, but only the spurs of male platypuses have venom.
Platypus venom is strong enough to kill dogs and other small animals. Although it isn’t lethal to humans, it can be excruciating enough to seriously impair a person. The pain reportedly can last for months on end and give the person a heightened sensitivity to pain. Generally, platypus venom causes nausea, edema, cold sweats, and chronic pain that can’t be treated by painkillers.
Since the males’ glands produce more venom during the breeding season, experts suggest that platypuses use these spurs to assert the dominance against competitors.
Well that was some cool and wacky stuff! Of course I didn't cover all the cool stuff that platypi provide so make sure to visit a website for more info! Until next time!