Platypuses were thought to have lived alongside the dinosaurs, with platypus fossils discovered which are 120 million years old!

Platypus bills have thousands of cells (electoreceptors) which allow them to detect tiny electric currents produced by the bodies of small animals. This helps them to hunt for food (insects and larvae, shellfish, and worms) in muddy water. This ability is essential, as when platypuses dive underwater they are pretty much sightless and unable to smell anything. They have folds of skin, like eyelids, which cover their eyes temporarily, and their nostrils seal up to become watertight. 

Platypuses don’t have teeth, so they use gravel to grind their food. When platypuses scoop up their food in their bill, they also pick up bits of gravel from the bottom of the river. 

Platypuses have retractable webbing on their feet. Their webbing makes them excellent swimmers but is problematic when they are on land. But they have a neat trick and can retract their webbing to expose their sharp claws when climbing up riverbanks. 

Platypuses are egg-laying mammals, called Monotremes. The only other Monotremes in the world are Echindas.  Once the young platypus (a puggle) is born, the mother produces milk. However, as Platypuses don't have teats, they express milk onto their belly through special glands. Scientists have recently discovered that Platypus milk contains unique antibacterial properties that could be used to fight superbugs.

Platypuses are also one of the few mammals which are venomous (a much more common feature among reptiles!). But only the male Platypuses are venomous. The venom is released by spurs (sharp spikes) on their back legs. Male platypuses mostly use their venom when competing against other males during mating season, but may sometimes use it as a defence against other predators too. 

The Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Threatened List, June 2023, lists the Platypus as Vulnerable.

The South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, June 2023, lists the Platpus is listed as Endangered.

The platypus was classified by the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened nationally in 2014. Source: Woinarski, J. & Burbidge, A.A.2016.Ornithorhynchus anatinus.The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T40488A21964009.https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T40488A21964009.en. Accessed on28 July 2023.