Awormwrigglesonthebottomoftheriver.Ithidesunderapileofrocks.Neartheriverbank,aweb-footedhuntercomesoutofitsden.It’shungry.Itdivesintothe water.
Thewormcan’thide.Thehunterpicksuponitsmovements.Itfindsthewormeasilyandsnapsit up.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2021/mismash_mammal_2/1059183/.shutterstock_1014056276.mp4.512_0_1.jpg)
Thisplatypusdivesdownintothe water.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2021/mismash_mammal_2/1059181/NGX0321_EE_10_11.640_0_1.jpg)
Thisplatypusfindsawormto eat.
Thispredatorisaplatypus.Itisanunusualmammal.Itsstrangecombinationoffeatureshelpsitsurviveinits environment.
PlatypusParenting
Aplatypuspaddlestotheriverbank.Sheusesherwebbedfrontfeet.Onland,shewaddlestoherden.Deepinsideherden,shedigsanewchamberwithherclaws.There,shelaystwosmalleggs.Shewarmsthemwithher body.
Twoweekslater,theeggshatch.Thebean-sizebabiesarehairlessandblind.Theyarealsohungry.Themotherplatypusfeedsthemmilkfromfoldsinherskin.Whentheycanswimandeatbythemselves,theyarereadyforlifeontheir own.
Platypuseslivein burrows.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2021/mismash_mammal_2/1059180/eggs.320_0_1.jpg)
Platypuseggsare small.