Does a platypus have any internal structures that are important?

1. What sort of structures does the platypus have that help it survive?
2. What organs does a platypus have?
3. Do platypus reproduce internally or externally?
4. Why is a platypus important?
5. What is unique about a platypus?
6. What are three adaptations of a platypus?
7. Does a platypus have a complete digestive system?
8. Do platypus have Buttholes?
9. What type of digestive system does a platypus have?
10. Do platypus build dams?
11. Why are platypus only found in Australia?
12. What is a female platypus called?
13. How does the platypus sense its prey?

What sort of structures does the platypus have that help it survive?

Platypus is well adapted for semi-aquatic lifestyle. Its streamline body and a broad, flat tail are covered with dense waterproof fur, which provides excellent thermal insulation. The Platypus propels itself through the water by using its front, short, webbed limbs, and the partially-webbed hind feet act as rudders.

What organs does a platypus have?

Monotreme Electroreceptive Organs

In all species, the bill or snout contains specialized mucous glands with electroreceptive nerve endings. The platypus has about 40 000 electroreceptive mucous glands, while Zaglossus has about 3000 and Tachyglossus about 100.

Do platypus reproduce internally or externally?

In monotremes, the eggs are fertilized internally, but are incubated and hatched outside the body. Monotremes, like all reptiles, also have a cloaca, a single opening through which feces, urine, and sperm or eggs pass.

Why is a platypus important?

Not only is the platypus an important freshwater carnivore, it is an evolutionary gem, one of the last remaining monotremes—or egg-laying mammals—left on Earth. And we've only begun to discover its wealth of secrets, from life-saving antibiotics in its milk to potential diabetes cures in its venom.

What is unique about a platypus?

The platypus is one of the most unusual creatures in the animal kingdom. Platypuses (which is the correct plural form, not "platypi") have a paddle-shaped tail like a beaver; a sleek, furry body like an otter; and a flat bill and webbed feet like a duck. ... Platypuses are among the few venomous mammals.

What are three adaptations of a platypus?

It has several adaptations, or traits, that help it thrive, made for being in water, including webbed feet and a wide tail for swimming, extra fat stores in the tail, and a bill complete with electroreceptors for detecting prey's electric currents under water.

Does a platypus have a complete digestive system?

And if you look inside a platypus, you'll find another weird feature: its gullet connects directly to its intestines. There's no sac in the middle that secrete powerful acids and digestive enzymes. In other words, the platypus has no stomach.

Do platypus have Buttholes?

The platypus belongs to the Order Monotremata, the egg-laying mammals. The monotremes ('one hole') possess a common opening, the cloaca, for the reproductive, urinary and digestive systems, and the testes are abdominal (testicond).

What type of digestive system does a platypus have?

A platypus doesn't really have a stomach. Instead of a separate pouch where food collects, the platypus' esophagus is directly connected to its intestine.

Do platypus build dams?

According to the platypusspot.org website, ideal habitat for these monotremes “includes permanent water, stable earthen banks consolidated by the roots of native riparian vegetation that is also overhanging the water, and an abundant supply of macroinvertebrates.” Needless to say, natural changes like prolonged drought ...

Why are platypus only found in Australia?

The platypus, found only in Australia is one of the five mammal species of that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. ... The reason that odd, egg-laying mammals still exist today may be because their ancestors took to the water, scientists now suggest.

What is a female platypus called?

Platypus were bred in captivity for the first time at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria. The breeding female (named Jill) was originally brought to the Sanctuary in 1938, after being rescued by two men who found her trudging along a road.

How does the platypus sense its prey?

Duck-Billed Detector

This super-sensory organ is packed with three distinct receptor cells that help the platypus detect movements and subtle electric fields produced by its prey. Platypuses use thousands of mechanoreceptors and electroreceptors in their bill skin to hunt prey in murky rivers and streams.