Platypus

This article is about the mammal. For the genus see ambrosia beetle. For the progressive rock band see Platypus (band)

Related Topics:
Ambrosia beetle - Platypus (band)

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The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a small, half-aquatic mammal endemic to the eastern part of Australia, and one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young (the other four are echidnas). It is the sole representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of fossilised relatives have been found, some of them also in the Ornithorhynchus genus.

Related Topics:
Aquatic - Mammal - Endemic - Australia - Monotreme - Eggs - Echidna - Family - Genus - Fossilised relatives

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The platypus is considered one of the strangest specimens of the animal kingdom: a venomous, egg-laying, duck-billed mammal. Its uniqueness makes it a recognisable faunal symbol of Australia (behind the kangaroo and koala), and a platypus features on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent coin.

Related Topics:
Specimen - Venomous - Kangaroo - Koala - Reverse - Coin

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