The Platypus Diet
The platypus, also known as the duckbill platypus, is a mammal native to Australia that has a body much like an otter's, a tail similar to a beaver's, and a bill and webbing on its feet like that of a duck. Platypuses are native to Australia. They are omnivores, eating both plants and animals, and gather food from the bottom of rivers and streams.
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Insects
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Platypuses often eat flies and fly larvae. Platypuses eat insects from the bottom of lakes and rivers by scooping them up in their bill. They commonly eat insect larvae, worms, flies and other aquatic insects.
Animals
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Platypuses eat small aquatic animals such as snails. Platypuses commonly eat small shrimp known as "yabbies," small fish, fish eggs, frogs, tadpoles, snails and mollusks.
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Feeding Habits
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Platypuses find their food underwater. They have specialized folds of skin to cover their eyes and ears and are able to close their nostrils completely. This way, they are able to remain underwater for over a minute without breathing in water or getting it in their ears or eyes. The platypus hunts for food for about 12 hours a day and eats approximately 1/4 of its body weight everyday.
Bill
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The platypus's bill is sensitive to electrical signals given off by prey in the water. The platypus's bull does more than serve as a mouth to gather food. It also helps it detect its prey. Platypus's bills are designed to be extra sensitive to electrical signals given off by the insects and small aquatic animals that they eat.
Chewing
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The platypus uses bits of gravel from the riverbed to grind up its food. When platypuses gather food from the bottom of a river or lake, they also gather gravel to help them grind their food. Because the platypus lacks teeth, it crushes the food using bits of gravel in its cheeks.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit fly over water image by Witold Krasowski from Fotolia.com snail image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com River fish living in Aquarium image by inacio pires from Fotolia.com gravel image by redrex from Fotolia.com
