Photo by Michael Jerrard on Unsplash We're continuing the animal trend with a look at the Ornithorhynchus anatinus , or duck-billed platypus. Or just platypus. These guys also have several Aboriginal Australian names, as well as some interesting stories, which I encourage you to check out. There are two here to start you off :) Overview - Platypus Basics: What even is a platypus, actually. - Etymology (What's the real plural form?) - Taxonomy and History - Habitat n' Feeding - Funky Features (But wait, there's more) - Citations Platypus Basics (What even is a platypus?) You've probably heard of the platypus as an egg-laying mammal that seems like an amalgamation of other animals, often including the duck and beaver. Their sizes between regions vary, but males are an average of 50 cm (20 in) with females being slightly smaller. Average adults weigh anywhere from 0.7 to 2.4 kg (1lb 5 oz to 5lb 5 oz) and can reportedly live up to 23 years old ( Fenner et al., 1992
This blog exists to share the beauty of biology. It's a weird and wonderful science that's equal parts extraordinary and infuriating, and I will always love it for that. My goal is to make this often misunderstood science accessible and offer it the spotlight it deserves. Please feel free to drop a comment if you have any questions!