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Is platypus fur soft?
Most of the body is covered with fine, soft fur. The pelt color varies from dark amber to very dark brown on the platypus’s back and sides, and from grayish white to yellowish brown on the underbelly. Platypus fur is fine, soft, and dense, with up to 900 hairs per square inch of skin.
How would you describe a platypus?
A duck-like bill and shy nature has made the platypus one of Australia’s most intriguing animals. The platypus’s body is covered in thick, dark brown fur and is flat and streamlined. It has a broad, flat tail with short, stout legs and webbed front feet well suited to its life in the water.
How many layers of fur does a platypus have?
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.
Is a platypus fur thick?
Platypuses have dense, thick fur that helps them stay warm underwater. Most of the fur is dark brown, except for a patch of lighter fur near each eye, and lighter-colored fur on the underside.
What are some interesting facts about the platypus?
In fact, the first scientist to see a platypus thought it was a hoax. The platypus is an unusual collection of familiar features from other animals. Any list of facts about platypus will describe its unusual appearance, which includes the webbed feet, bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and the body and fur of an otter.
What does a platypus do with its webbed feet?
The forelegs push the animal through the water, while the hind legs trail behind, acting as stability rudders. When digging a burrow or moving on land, platypuses can fold away their webbed foot extensions. The name ‘platypus’ means ‘flat feet’.
How is the jaw of a platypus different from other mammals?
The first upper and third lower cheek teeth of platypus nestlings are small, each having one principal cusp, while the other teeth have two main cusps. The platypus jaw is constructed differently from that of other mammals, and the jaw-opening muscle is different.
What does the duck like Bill of a platypus do?
The duck-like bill of the platypus is a flexible, soft and very sensitive organ. It helps the animal to find its way, to search for food and to pick up electrical discharges from its prey.