Platypus Adaptation

Platypus is an unusual animal that lay eggs, which also called menomtremes. There are only 5 menomtremes left exist and 4 of them are belong to echidna (Froden 2014). Platypus can be found in east side of Australia fresh water environment such as tropical fresh water lowlands or plateaus (Australian Museum 2014). Platypus are carnivores, they often feed small freshwater marine creatures and insects. Platypuses are nocturnal animal and they often hunt during twilight or night (Australian Museum 2014).

A platypus has a major structural adaptation, which is the bill. The bill is similar to duck’s bill and it is an essential tool for not only hunting but also mechanically digest food. The bill of platypus contain electroreceptor which platypus use to conduct electroreception to locate the location of the prey underwater without the usage of their eyes and ears. There are two …show more content…
The first layer of fur are made up of short and dense hair which prevent the water from getting through the skin, this fine hair layer are able to trap air as well as acting as an insulator that maintain the body temperature of platypus since it is nocturnal and spend most of it time hunting in water. The fur in second layer are longer compared to the first layer, it is waterproof and touch sensitive which aiding the platypus in navigation when they hunting underwater. The front feet of platypus are fully webbed and hind feet are partially webbed (Australia museum 2014), these webbed feet help the platypus to swim more efficiently as well as move on soft and muddy surfaces. Moreover, platypus also adapted to having strong, shovel-like claws which help it to move or dig through thick soil or mud (Froden 2014), this