Platypus

The platypus is an egg-laying, semi-aquatic mammal that lives in Tasmania and along the eastern coast of mainland Australia. Platypus and echidnas are the only existing species of egg-laying animals on earth.
The body of the platypus is 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) long; the flattened tail measures 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) in length. The feet are webbed. The body and tail are covered with a thick, soft, woolly layer of fur, from which long, flat hairs protrude. The platypus has three layers of fur: 1. an inside layer to trap air and keep the animal warm 2. a middle layer which works like a wet suit 3 .an outer layer to feel if it is close to objects. A Platypus grows to a maximum weight of 1 to 2.4 kg (2.2 to 5.3 lb).
The Platypus is semi-aquatic and requires access to freshwater habitats to forage, and earth banks to dig their burrows. Platypus is a solitary animal that only lives together to mate, although several individuals may be found living in the same section of habitat.

The Platypus usually feeds at night on aquatic insect larvae, shrimps and worms by dabbling in mud or silt on the bottom of rivers and freshwater lakes with its sensitive, flexible, duck-like snout, aided by electroreceptors on its bill. These are stored in the cheek pouches and will be chewed after returning to the surface. Platypus has no teeth, but instead has small horny pads which it uses to hold and grind its prey. The Platypus can eat its own body weight in food in one night.
Male platypus are larger than the female. They reproduce by mating which occurs once a year, between June - October. The female lays between 2 - 4 eggs and incubates these for a two week period. Newborn platypuses are helpless. They are blind and hairless .They feed on their mother's milk, which is expelled through pores on her body. The babies suckle on milk for 3-4 months.
Platypuses have a lifespan of over 10 years in the wild, but they do face a few threats. They have several natural predators, such as snakes, foxes, and birds of prey. Platypuses are also susceptible to habitat destruction, but that is at a minimum. They are protected from being hunted. As such, their populations are stable and they are listed as low risk for extinction.