Scientists are still debating the purpose this serves but hypothesise it is to do with either blocking water or predators or regulating the temperature and humidity. At varying intervals this is blocked off. The female on the other hand constructs a burrow which can be up to 20m (66ft) long. Following this the male will return to his yearlong burrow. This species breeds from June to October which is winter in their range. When hunting they will store food in their cheeks until they go to the surface to eat.Įach day they consume 20% of their own body weight. Their diet consists of annelid worms, insect larvae, freshwater shrimps and yabbies as well as snails. Across their range the weights vary greatly and scientists are still unaware of why this is. The weight of this species varies from 700 grams (1.54 lb) to 2.4kg (5.3 lb). Males platypuses are larger than females averaging 50cm (20in) long. When walking on land their webbing folds back. They have webbed feet with this adaptation being more prominent on the front foot than the back. On the hind leg of the males is a spur that is used for the envenomation of prey. The tail is large and broad and covered with this fur. This fur insulates them and is waterproof. They have thick, brown fur covering the rest of the body. The bill measures between 5.2 and 5.8cm (2-2.3 in). This is due to the large rubbery snout which they have which looks like the bill of a duck. Platypus are also commonly called duck-billed platypuses.
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