This section provides answers to commonly asked questions, and also highlights some of the many interesting and surprising facts about the platypus:. This is perhaps the single most frequently asked question about the species. For the sake of simplicity, we prefer using the second term. What is the correct term for a baby platypus?
Because juveniles are not normally seen by people at an earlier stage of development, there has historically never been any need to adopt a specific term for an infant platypus. This situation changed in when a captive female platypus succeeded in raising twin daughters at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
What is the collective term for a group of platypus? In contrast to a pride of lions, a gaggle of geese or a herd of cattle, the platypus normally feeds on its own, though more than one animal may be active at the same time in a given spot.
The platypus is a notoriously difficult animal to keep in captivity. These animals need a lot of food equating to as much as one-fifth of their body mass each day in the case of males or females without young and are also quite picky about their diet, preferring to dine on live aquatic invertebrates such as insect larvae, worms and crayfish. Adult males in particular can be dangerous animals to handle — although the venom delivered by spurs on the hind ankles is not considered to be life-threatening, it can cause excruciating pain and swelling that lasts for days.
Sensibly, there is no place in Australia where a platypus can be legally purchased or kept as a pet. Platypus were bred in captivity for the first time at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria.
The breeding female named Jill was originally brought to the Sanctuary in , after being rescued by two men who found her trudging along a road.
The breeding male named Jack was captured as a young juvenile in after being spotted swimming in a local creek. The pair was observed mating for the first time in October and produced a daughter named Corrie who was successfully raised to adulthood. Since then, successful breeding has also occurred at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
Has the platypus ever been hunted commercially? This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars. India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.
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Meet the people trying to help. Environment COP26 nears conclusion with mixed signals and frustration. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment As the EU targets emissions cuts, this country has a coal problem. Paid Content How Hong Kong protects its sea sanctuaries. History Magazine These 3,year-old giants watched over the cemeteries of Sardinia.
Science Coronavirus Coverage What families can do now that kids are getting the vaccine. Magazine How one image captures 21 hours of a volcanic eruption. Counterintuitively, much of the decline has occurred in areas only sparsely populated by humans. Although gone from Australia, this egg-laying, milk-producing mammal escaped complete extinction from the face of the Earth.
In contrast, only one native land mammal in North America - the sea mink - became extinct during the same time period. The animal, prized for its reddish fur and bushy tail, was hunted to extinction, unlike his thriving cousin, the American Mink pictured above. Hunting, habitat loss and impacts of human development are most to blame for species extinction on other continents, especially where human populations are increasing. But these factors don't apply in the Australian case, scientists believe, since most extinctions there occurred in remote areas - far from human population centers.
Instead, scientists think the loss of Australian land mammals is primarily due to predation by introduced species, like the European red fox. Another prolific killer is the feral cat, found in most habitats across Australia.
The researchers believe that feral cats pose the highest threat to native mammal species. They contribute greatly to the disappearance of many ground-dwelling mammals on the mainland. There's a bit of hope left in Australia's dismal numbers: Scientists say the country's marine mammals have fared better overall. But they've added a precaution: research has been impeded by a lack of information, since it's harder to collect data in water than on land.
Coral bleaching is spreading south along the reef and can no longer be blamed solely on El Nino - scientists say the bleaching is linked to global warming. A recent aerial survey demonstrates the extent of the damage. After decades of relying primarily on coal-fired power, Australia has begun investing in a number of large-scale solar farms as it begins its transition to renewable energy.
Economic factors are a primary driver. The controversial coal mine project in Australia's Queensland state is looking more likely to become a reality later this year. But it remains plagued by legal hurdles, environmental issues and fierce public opposition.
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