Theplatypus’sskeletonislikea lizard’s.
AllintheFamily
PlatypusesarefoundonlyinAustralia.Theyarepartofagroupcalledmonotremes.Thesearemammalsthatlay eggs.
Millionsofyearsago,therewereafewspeciesofreptile-likemammals.Theyhadfur.Theynursedtheirbabieslikemammals.Theyhadbirdbeaks.Theywereshapedlikelizards.Likelizardsandbirds,theyalsolaideggs.Overtime,mostegg-layingmammalsdiedoff.Today,onlytworemain:theplatypusandthe echidna.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2021/mismash_mammal_3/1059419/Australia_Map_with_no_text.640_0_1.jpg)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2021/mismash_mammal_3/1059416/globe.240_0_1.png)
Platypusesarefoundonlyin Australia.
Asia
Australia
AUSTRALIA
WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
NORTERN
TERRITORY
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
newsouthwales
victoria
tasmania
Queensland
platypus range
Theplatypuslookslikeithasa duck’s bill.
FunnyFace
Aplatypushasthefaceofaduck.Itsbillissoft.It’slinedwithnerves.Theyhelptheplatypusfeelitswayaroundunderwater.Itsbillcansensemovementfromother animals.
Aplatypushasnoteeth.Yet,itcanstillcrunchupfood.Itscoopsupsmallrockswithitsmeals.Thenitgrindseverythingtogether.Therockscrushthefood.Theplatypusswallowsthefoodbutspitsoutthe rocks.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2021/mismash_mammal_3/1059418/feet.400_0_1.jpg)
Webbedtoeshelppushtheplatypusthroughthe water.