San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to two platypuses, the only platypuses outside of Australia. With a paddle-shaped tail, sleek fur, webbed feet, and a wide bill, these venomous, egg-laying mammals are truly one-of-a-kind. Though bizarre in appearance, platypuses are perfectly designed for their Australian freshwater habitats. They navigate deep, murky water and detect the miniscule movements of shellfish and insects with ease.

Tag: Zoo tag
Date: Jan 13

Platypus

The Platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal that is found in freshwater environments within the eastern states of Australia, including Tasmania, as well as on Kangaroo Island. Its thick brown fur serves as insulation, and its distinctive, skin-covered duck-like bill helps it to detect the electrical fields of its prey. The male Platypus is the only venomous mammal in the world; it possesses a venomous spur on the inside of its hind leg. Threats to this iconic monotreme include habitat pollution and degradation as well as predation by feral animals. As well as being listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List, the Platypus is listed as endangered in South Australia and Victoria and there are fears that recent droughts, fires and floods in Queensland and New South Wales have negatively impacted local populations.

Tag: Favourites tag
Date: Feb 22

Platypus

The platypus is semiaquatic, inhabiting small streams and rivers over an extensive range from the cold highlands of Tasmania and the Australian Alps to the tropical rainforests of coastal Queensland as far north as the base of the Cape York Peninsula.

RR: Australia & New Zealand x World RR
Date: Dec 11