Platypus

by Laura

Have you ever heard a platypus? They live in the eastern Australia, on the edges of rivers. They make their own homes, with many entrances that are hidden. Their nickname is the duck-billed platypus, because of their duck-like bill. There body is 30 to 45 cm long (12 to 18 in). The tail is 10 to 15 cm long (4 to 6 in). They have webbed feet, but when they walk on land they have to use their knuckles. The longest life span for the platypus is 10 years. Their fur is three layers thick, and the color is dark brown or yellow. They mostly eat animals in the water, including crayfish, worms, insects, fish eggs, and water plants. The males have poison spurs on their hind feet to kill other animals. The mating takes place in early spring. They lay two eggs at a time. They nurse for about 5 months.

Information from World Book Online and the links below.

Links:
http://library.thinkquest.org/28994/animals.html
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/wes/webquests_themes/australian_animals_webquest/web_sites.html
http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/fellows/MENTZER/webquest/austan.htm