Family ORNITHORHYNCHIDAE

Museums

Museum list

Regional Maps

Family ORNITHORHYNCHIDAE

Compiler and date details

2010 - Updated Stephen M. Jackson, c/- Queensland Museum, Brisbane

31 December 1998 - J.A. Mahoney (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, NSW, Australia

Introduction

The single extant species of this family occurs only in eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania. As well as Australian fossils, a fossil monotreme from South America was described in 1992 (Pascual et al. 1992). Although the distribution of the extant species is discontinous, it is found in freshwater habitats from tropical coastal Queensland to temperate alpine regions of Victoria and Tasmania. The body of the platypus is tubular, the limbs are short and webbing occurs between the digits of both the manus and pes. The tail is broad, flattened dorso-ventrally reminiscent of the tail of a beaver (Castor). The body fur is soft and dense and, at one time, was highly prized for commercial use. The eyes are small and the ears lack pinnae. The snout is formed into a bill that resembles the bill of a duck, but the bill is soft and covered with very delicate and sensitive skin. The nostrils open on the antero-dorsal end of the bill. True teeth, present in juveniles, are replaced in adults by ridged horny plates. Males have a prominent hollow spur on each ankle that is connected to a large gland in the groin. The gland produces a toxic substance that is probably lethal to small mammals and decidedly unpleasant to humans.

Although largely aquatic, the platypus is an efficient burrower. Burrows are constructed slightly above water level and the loose soil packed down on the floor. Usually two eggs, which adhere to each other, are produced and are incubated by the female in the nest burrow.

Although solitary, several individuals may occupy a suitable stretch of water. Activity, depending upon prevailing local conditions, may occur at any time. The diet consists largely of invertebrate material, but small vertebrates also may be taken.