What the heck?! That's what you're thinking right? Well, with graduation on the way and softball season in full throttle that's how I'm feeling. So to help me express the weird thoughts and odd feelings that are coming over me, the baby animal of the week is the Platypus.
Not only are their looks unique, but the way the reproduce is too. The platypus is one of only two mammals that lay eggs. To lay their eggs, the females hide themselves in a burrow. Typically only one or two eggs are produced and Mama P keeps her babies warm by holding them between her body and her tail. After about ten days, the baby platypuses hatch and are about the size of a lima bean. They nurse for three to four months until the babies can learn to swim without the help of Mom.
When fully grown, these animals look like a combination of familiar species. The bill and webbed feet resemble that of a duck, they have a tail similar to the beaver and the body and fur of an otter. They can reach up to 20 inches in length and weigh about 3 pounds. Males also have sharp stingers on the heels of their rear feet that are venomous.
Still not quite sure of what a platypus is? Check out a day in the life of one of these guys.
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