The platypi also show that genes that carry lactation did not evolve at the same point in time as live birth, since platypi lactate and lay eggs. Their research gives evidence that the genes of platypi carry information of a transitional point on the evolutionary timeline that leads reptiles to mammals. Researchers have decoded the genome of the platypus to reveal a connection between reptiles and mammals. The Platypus was alive during the Cretaceous Period (144-65 Million Years Ago). Before the offspring can be on their own, the mother will provide and feed their young for 3-4 months or until the Platypi are able to swim on their own. The offspring will emerge within 10 days and are the size of Lima beans. The mother will cradle the egg between their body and tail. The eggs will be kept warm through the female. Once present, the female will lay 2 eggs at the most. When laying eggs, female platypuses seal themselves inside one of their burrow's chambers. They are 1 of 2 species of mammals that lay eggs. Platypi can grow to a length of 15 inches from their head to the bottom of their body and have a tail 5inches long. They are active mainly at nighttime hours. In South Australia the platypus is now rare and possibly extinct in the wild, apart from an introduced population on Kangaroo Island.They live aside freshwater rivers or lakes, and create burrows for shelter and protection.
These animals are found in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland to about as far north as Cooktown. The platypus is found in eastern Australia. They have sharp stingers on the heels of their rear feet and can use them to deliver a strong toxic blow to any foe.
These creatures weight on average between 1 to 2.4 kilograms.
The first layer keeps the animal warm, by trapping air, the second layer which provides an insulating coat for the animal, and lastly the third layer of long flat hairs to detect objects close by. The woolly furred coat has three different layers. The Platypus has a woolly furred coat and range from 30cm to 45cms in length and the tail about 10 to 15 cms. The Platypus is best described to have body parts that are similar to various common animals, such as the duck (bill and webbed feet), beaver (tail), and otter (body and fur).
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