6/21/2023 0 Comments Platypus babies![]() Unlike a beaver, it has no feet (no toes), which are good for swimming. The platypus looks similar to a beaver with a brown, furry body and wide, flat tail. The later ( derived) mammals have the system where the rear has two openings. This is a primitive ( basal) feature of tetrapods, which monotremes, birds and reptiles have today. Through this opening faeces and urine are voided (put out), and sexual activity takes place. These mammals are called monotremes because they have a common rear opening, the cloaca. The platypus was first described in detail in the early 19th century, but it took a while before biologists in England believed what they were reading. The other is the Echidna, which has four species. It is one of only two families of mammals which lay eggs. The platypus lives in rivers and river banks. The plural of platypus is just 'platypus'. It lives in eastern Australia, including Tasmania. It is one of only two monotremes that survive today.
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