The Platypus, or Duck-Billed Platypus, is a small Oceanian mammal. It is an adoptable animal in Wildlife Park 2 and Wildlife Park 3.
Description[]
Distinctive due to its unusual appearance, the platypus is one of only five extant species of monotreme, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. It is a small animal, only reaching 50cm (20in) in length, with males being larger than females. Its long streamlined otter-like body, webbed feet and beaver-like tail are adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle. The platypus' most distinctive feature is its long snout, which resembles the bill of a duck. It also possesses large spurs on their ankles, which in males are venomous.
The platypus is native to eastern Australia and Tasmania, inhabiting streams and rivers across a variety of habitats. It is one of the few mammals able to detect natural electrical stimulation, using special receptors on its bill to detect invertebrate prey. The bill is also sensitive to touch and the platypus relies solely on it to find food as it closes its eyes, ears and nostrils when diving. Females will lay up to three eggs and raise them in a burrow, feeding her young on milk secreted through pores in her skin. Habitat destruction and fungal diseases are some of the platypus' greatest threats.
Wildlife Park 2[]
“ | Lat. name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus. The duckbill's body structure is similar to that of a flatly built beaver with a comparably flat tail. The body and tail are covered with brown, water resistant fur. The front and back paws are webbed. The duckbill is approx. 30-40 cm long. As with all monotremes, the excretory and sexual organs join in a common opening, the ""cloaca"". The body temperature is around 32 degrees Celsius and very low when compared to other mammals. The most conspicuous feature of the duckbill is the duck-like beak. Adult duckbills only have horn plates instead of teeth in the upper and lower jaws, serving as food grinder. The nostrils on the upper bill lie well towards the front. This enables the duckbill to ""snorkel"" when mostly submerged. Male duckbills have 15mm long poison spurs on their hind legs. During the mating season these secrete poison produced in glands in the abdomen. Although this poison is painful for humans, it is not lethal. Duckbills inhabit sweet water areas in eastern and south-eastern Australia. They are excellent swimmers and spend most of their lives in water. Their food mainly consists of crabs, insect larvae and worms, which they seek and find under water. | ” |
The platypus, referred as duckbill in-game, is an adoptable animal in Wildlife Park 2 and was added as part of the Crazy Zoo expansion pack. Its daily need and enrichment necessities include seafood, swimming and diving. They can live individually, with 15 as the maximum number of herd.
Basic Statistics |
Cost: 4,500 Attractiveness: 3 Stars |
Essential Needs |
Seafood: 3 kg/day Swimming: 6 hours/day Diving: 10 hours/day |
Wildlife Park 3[]
The platypus is an adoptable animal in Wildlife Park 3 and was added as part of the Down Under expansion pack. Their daily food and enrichment necessities include seafood, water and swimming. In terms of environment, they prefer softer grounds like peat. They can live individually, with 6 as the maximum number of herds.
Diseases[]
These are the list of diseases that the said animal can suffer from:
Anxiety | Apathy | Babesiosis | Bronchitis |
Caries | Conjunctivitis | Cut | Deficiency |
Dehydration | Diarrhea | Eczema | Gangrene |
Gastric Ulcer | Iodine Deficiency | Mesostigmata | Monkey Pox |
Scurvy | Splinter | Tuberculosis | Vasculitis |
Wry Neck | Heat Exhaustion | Oil Toxication |