THE PLATYPUS
SERGI CAÑAS AND ALEX ARACIL
The platypus is a semi aquatic mammal. Its scientific name is Ornithorhynchus anatinus. It looks like a combination of more than one animal because it has the beak of duck and a tail similar to the one beavers have. The platypus has a diet that basically consists in aquatic insects and their larvae. Moreover, they also eat molluscs that they find on the rocks of the sea, crustaceans, earthworms, water algae and aquatic plants.
Female platypus usually lay two eggs, although this can vary from 1 to 3 eggs. These eggs usually measure about 1.7 centimeters (0.7 inches) in diameter and are rounder than the vast majority of bird eggs. The incubation period of their eggs is 7 to 10 days. During this time, they only leave the nest to defecate and wet his fur. Research has revealed that females achieve sexual maturity in their second year, as do males, becoming sexually active at the same age. These animals have an estimated life expectancy of 11 years in their natural habitat and can be reproductively functional for 9 years.
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