8 Unique Features That Make the Platypus Unlike Any Other Mammal
We will reveal to you which eight abilities and characteristics make the platypus so extraordinary!
Australia is home to some of the strangest mammals in the world! Take the platypus, for instance. They look like a mix of many different animals, leaving you in awe! But that's not the only thing that makes them special. They have a range of abilities that are truly impressive.
For example, they have a venomous spur, making them one of the five venomous mammals in the world. Their venom isn't dangerous to humans, but it can be to dogs. Additionally, they belong to the group of monotremes, where the reproductive and excretory organs share the same opening. There are only five species of these creatures in the world.
Of course, the platypus isn't the only unusual animal in Australia. There's also the Tasmanian devil and the wombat. But for now, let's take a look at the features and abilities that make the platypus unique:
1. Platypuses Lay Eggs
All birds lay eggs. This is also true for reptiles, amphibians, and fish, with a few exceptions. But what about mammals? They give birth to live young, at least most of them do. There are only five species that lay eggs: the platypus and four species of echidnas. This has an advantage: the offspring are protected by the shell, which significantly increases their chances of survival. Since the platypus is also a kind of "primitive animal" that has not changed for thousands of years, this is a remnant of a survival strategy.
2. Platypuses Have an Electro-Sense
Platypuses can detect electrical fields. They do this with their large, broad bill! Beneath the soft, leathery skin are over 40,000 electroreceptors that sense subtle changes in the environment, similar to a motion detector or a metal detector.
3. Platypuses Have the Longest REM Sleep
People suffering from fatigue and sleep issues might feel quite envious now: the platypus sleeps for up to 14 hours. And it sleeps deeply and soundly, even more so than humans. The deep sleep phase, known as REM sleep, lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours per night for an adult human. For the platypus, it lasts 8 hours!
4. Platypuses Glow Under UV Light
It takes a unique idea to discover this. In 2020, scientists turned on a UV lamp near a platypus in the dark—out of curiosity. They already knew from other studies that opossums, geckos, and scorpions glow under UV light, so they decided to test it on the platypus. And lo and behold: its fur shines in green and blue. Why is that? The reason remains unclear. It might assist in communication with their peers.
5. Platypuses Have a Very Low Body Temperature
For healthy humans, our body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). Below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), we suffer from hypothermia, and below 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), we are in a life-threatening condition. Platypuses, however, are different. They maintain a body temperature of only 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) - and they thrive. How do they manage this, and what is the benefit? Platypuses spend most of their time in cold water. Maintaining a higher body temperature would require too much energy. To prevent excessive cooling, they have a waterproof, very dense, insulating fur.
6. Platypuses Were Thought to Be a "Fake"
As early as 1836, the concept of “fakes” existed. However, they were referred to differently back then: as forgeries. The platypus was assumed to be such a fake. For Australians, it was nothing unusual, but the rest of the world had never seen such an animal. Thus, it was suggested that a beaver had a duck's bill sewn onto it with needle and thread. This led naturalist Charles Darwin to note in his diary in 1836: "Surely, two different creators must have been at work here".
7. Platypuses Are Genetically a Combination of Several Animal Species
Platypuses appear to be a wild blend of various animals. They possess the bill of a duck, the paddle-shaped tail of a beaver, the claws of a bear, the waterproof fur of an otter, and the webbed feet of a frog. Honestly, it sounds a bit like Frankenstein, doesn't it? The amazing part is: it's true! Platypuses are genetically a mix of mammal, bird, and reptile.
8. Platypuses Are Living Fossils
Fossils are remnants of organisms that have been preserved over thousands to millions of years. Their bones and teeth have turned to stone through chemical processes. Now, the platypus is very much alive and not made of stone. However, it is considered a "living fossil" because it has not evolved for over 100,000 years. There are only a few animal species like the leatherback turtle, crocodiles, the tuatara, and horseshoe crabs that also fit this description.
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