![]() In the fossil record, there are remains of other species of platypus, but today there is only one. They are some of the oldest orders of mammals, followed by the marsupials, and platypus as we know them have been around for approximately 9 million years. Platypus are monotremes (meaning mammals that lay eggs) and along with the extant species of echidna, they are one of only three species of monotremes in the world, all of which live in Australia. Now we know what platypus means, but what is a platypus? They live in burrows along the banks of freshwater rivers and lakes on the eastern coast of Australia, and are predominately nocturnal. This is a much better description of the platypus! Mammal Phylogeny (O’Brien, 2008) Putting it all together, Ornithorhyncus anatinus literally mean duck-like bird-snout. The second half of the name, anatinus, does not need to be broken down. Ornitho comes from the Greek word ‘ ornis‘ meaning bird and – rhynchus comes from the Greek word ‘ rhynkhos’ which means snout. Starting with the genus, Ornithorhynchus can break down into two parts: ornitho and – rhynchus. ![]() Scientific names can seem overwhelming at first, but they can typically be broken down just as easily as any other scientific term. Originally it was intended to be the name of the platypus’ genus, but it had already been used to describe the wood-boring ambrosia beetle. Personally, I don’t think this name is as descriptive as it could be. P laty comes from the Greek word ‘platys’ which means flat or broad and – pus comes from the Greek word ‘ pous’ which means foot. The name platypus can be broken down into two parts: platy and – pus. Platypus at the Sydney Aquarium (by Stefan Kraft) In fact, when European naturalists first saw it they thought it was an elaborate hoax because of its duck-bill, beaver-tail and its ability to lay eggs! Today, we better understand the platypus, but it continues to thrill people from all over the world. The platypus, also known as the Australian duck-mole, is a fascinating creature with a complicated history. To learn more about mammals, check out the link below! They give birth to live, relatively well-developed, young. Finally, placental mammals, including humans, are a relatively recent development. Modern marsupials live in Australia as well as South America and Eastern North America. Marsupials are slightly more derived than monotremes and give birth to underdeveloped young that mature inside a pouch. Today, the only monotremes–platypuses and echidnas–are found in Australia. Monotremes are the most primitive mammals and lay eggs. There are 3 types of living mammals: marsupials, monotremes, and placental mammals. And even whales and dolphins are some hair! Porcupines have modified hairs (quills) that they use to defend themselves from predators. Instead, they secrete milk through patches on their abdomen. ![]() For example, platypuses don’t have nipples like most mammals. ![]() ![]() Some traits are easier to observe than others and some of these traits aren’t as straightforward as they seem. Mammary glands, or milk producing glands, are one of the key features of mammals.īesides mammary glands, all mammals also have hair, a single lower jaw bone (reptiles have 3 bones), 3 inner ear bones, cheek teeth with a divided root and an aortic arch (main artery in the heart) that bends to the left. Mammalia comes from the Latin word ‘ mamma‘ which means breast. Most people have a pretty good idea of what constitutes a mammal. It includes animals that many people know well: cats, dogs, bats, whales, etc. One of the most common classes of animals are the mammals. ![]()
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