Hello, there! My name is Percy Platypus. I can not wait to tell you what a day in my life looks like. I just woke up in my burrow, which is located on the shore near a beautiful river in Australia. It looks like it’s almost evening, so it’s time for breakfast! I am a carnivore, and I eat delicious crayfish, shrimp, worms, insects, fish, and pretty much anything I find tasty in the river. I am going to hop on into the water with my 20 inch long body (20 inches is almost 2 feet).
Photo courtesy of Animals San Diego Zoo
Hey! Look over there! I think I see some larvae, or maybe worms. I have to scrape them up with my bill (my beak- shaped mouth), with bits of gravel, and put it all in my cheek pouches. I can use the gravel to help me mash, or “chew” the food, since I do not have teeth. Us, platypuses, grow to weigh about 3 pounds. That’s lighter than an average house cat!
Photo courtesy of National Geographic Kids
Uh oh. I see a crocodile by the rocks. He’s coming this way! I need to swim away as fast as I can. But, look! He is catching up. What can I do? Well, us male platypuses have sharp stingers on the heels of our webbed feet to stay safe from foes. They have venom inside, which is toxic. Hi – Yah! I did it! I stabbed the crocodile, and now I am safe. Time to go back home.
Photo courtesy of National Geographic
My tummy is rumbling. Wait a minute… I don’t have a stomach! Oh, well. Either way, it’s time for lunch! I’ll be right back.
Munch, chomp, munch. Yum! Those shrimp were very filling. Now, what exactly do I do all day? I spend most of my time alone, and use this time mostly for eating and sleeping. I already ate, and I already slept, so it is time to do something else. Would you like to hear some fun facts about us platypuses? Well, here they are! First, the plural of platypus can be either platypuses, or platypodes. The English language has some interesting twists.
I am a mammal, despite the fact that female platypuses lay eggs. My mother had 2 eggs, so I have a sister. I haven’t seen her for a while, because platypuses don’t have family reunions. Mom fed us by sweating out milk, and my sister and I would suck it out of mom’s fur. I know that it doesn’t sound very appetizing, but that’s mother nature for you.
Photo courtesy of National Geographic
I am 10 years old, and will probably live up to about 12. My neighbor, Sandy, was found by some humans when she injured her left foot. Because she now lives in captivity, she will probably live up to 20 years old. I, personally, prefer living alone out here with a beautiful river that I can have all to myself. It is dinner time now, so I better go find some tasty worms. I’ll see you later!
Gulp! All done. It is early morning now, so I should probably get to bed. Thank you for visiting me, and you’re welcome to come see me whenever you want. YAWN! Good night. Um, I mean good morning. Well… bye!
The Lighthouse 