Duckbilled Platypus

The platypus, or duck-billed platypus, is a mammal found in rivers and streams of Australia and Tasmania.Animal Diversity Web: Duck-Billed Platypus Because of its unusual physical appearance, the earliest scientists believed the platypus was just a joke, myth or a hoax.National Geographic: Platypus

The platypus has the webbed feet and bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and body and fur of an otter.National Geographic: Platypus A platypus has mostly medium to dark brown fur, with some brown to gray fur on its ventral side.Animal Diversity Web: Duck-Billed Platypus Males tend to be larger than females.Animal Diversity Web: Duck-Billed Platypus The males are also poisonous and have sharp stingers on their heels.National Geographic: Platypus Females lay eggs and without the presence of nipples, secrete milk from glands on their sides.TheBigZoo: Duck-Billed Platypus

The platypus is a solitary animal. Males are very shy but can be very aggressive during mating season.TheBigZoo: Duck-Billed Platypus

When hunting, the platypus will swim under water using its tail to navigate and its front webbed feet for paddling.National Geographic: Platypus