(The four species of hedgehog-like echidna are the only other monotremes alive today, and they too live in Australia as well as New Guinea.) Female platypuses typically lay between 1 and 3 marble-sized eggs, which they incubate for about two weeks in an underground burrow. Platypuses are monotremes, a type of mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. One of the (arguably) weirdest elements of platypus biology is their reproduction.
Platypus GLP-1 is much longer lasting, and scientists think it could one day lead to new medications for diabetes. Humans produce GLP-1, too, and a modified version is already used in diabetes treatments. Called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), the hormone promotes insulin release, which in turn lowers blood glucose levels. (One Vietnam War veteran described the pain as worse than being hit by shrapnel.) Victims also experience nausea, gastric pain, cold sweats, lymph node swelling, and muscle wasting in the envenomated area.Īnd yet platypus venom could one day help treat illnesses: Australian scientists recently discovered that platypus venom contains a hormone that could aid in diabetes treatment. While the venom isn’t fatal to humans, anyone unlucky enough to be jabbed can expect days of “ immediate, sustained, and devastating ” pain that’s resistant to morphine and other painkillers. Scientists think that males use these spurs to compete with rivals during breeding season. Each spur is connected to a crural gland - or modified sweat gland- which creates a powerful venom. Male platypus have half-inch spurs on each of their hind legs. But did you know that their venom could also help treat diabetes? You might have heard that platypus are venomous. Platypus are facing a silent extinction.Their venom could help treat diabetes Male platypus have spurs on their hind legs, which can be used to estimate their age. But the joke was on them, the platypus is real and it is awesome! When platypuses were first discovered in 1798, British scientists thought they were a hoax created by putting parts of different animals together – webbed feet and a bill like a duck, a body like an otter and a tail like a beaver. So, if we don’t want the modern platypus to go the same way as their seventy centimetre long ancestors, it’s more important than ever to work towards conservation and restoration of platypus and their habitat. Prolonged droughts, bushfires, a changing climate and landclearing have impacted the platypuses' habitat and decreased their population.
They’re even harder to spot now than they used to be. And a baby platypus who has one wizard parent and one human parent is a muggle puggle.ħ. Which could be why the name for a baby platypus is a puggle. Platypuses are cute, but their babies are even cuter. Which is strange, but even stranger are the people who keep putting them under UV lights.Ħ. No one knows why, but when these small brown creatures are put under UV lights, they give off a biofluorescent green-blue glow. The platypus spends about 12 hours every day underwater looking for food.
#CUTE PLATYPUS SKIN#
With two layers of fur – for insulation and waterproofing, platypuses use their fur to trap a layer of air next to their skin so they can remain buoyant and dry when they’re underwater, which they are a lot. They’re one of only five monotreme species left in existence. They feed on insect larvae, freshwater shrimps, worms and yabbies, which they bring to the surface to eat.ĭespite being a mammal, platypuses lay eggs – making them a monotreme.
Like a shark, the platypus uses electronic impulses to detect underwater prey and locate objects in the darkest depths of the creeks and rivers they call home. They give sharks a run for their money – at least as far as electroreception is concerned. Male platypuses have a hollow spur on each hind leg connected to a venom secreting gland, and while their venom is lethal, there are no recorded deaths from platypuses or from platypus stings.Ģ. They might look cute and cuddly, but come across a male platypus in mating season and you’ll be in for a painful shock. Here are 8 things you might not know about the platypus. With water-resistant fur, this semi-aquatic creature loves to frolic and play in the freshwater rivers and creeks it calls home. Take action now to protect them and their habitat!ĪDOPT A PLATYPUS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR REWILDING WORKĭespite being a renowned recluse, the platypus is one of Australia’s most recognised animals.
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