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The '''platypus''' (''Ornithorhynchus anatinus'') is an aquatic [[mammal]] found in eastern Australia and Tasmania, and one of five species in a distinct subclass named Prototheria, the egg-laying mammals.<ref>↑ The other four are echidnas, also native to [[Australia]].</ref>  It has a bill similar in shape to a [[duck]], which is very pliable, and also has webbed feet. Like all mammals it has fur and suckles its young.  The platypus can find its prey in water due to its ability to detect electric fields produced by muscular contractions. The male platypus has a spur on its hindfoot which can deliver venom - a  feature which very few mammals possess. It has no visible ears.

The '''platypus''' (''Ornithorhynchus anatinus'') is an aquatic [[mammal]] found in eastern Australia and Tasmania, and one of five species in a distinct subclass named Prototheria, the egg-laying mammals.<ref>↑ The other four are echidnas, also native to [[Australia]].</ref>  It has a bill similar in shape to a [[duck]], which is very pliable, and also has webbed feet. Like all mammals it has fur and suckles its young.  The platypus can find its prey in water due to its ability to detect electric fields produced by muscular contractions. The male platypus has a spur on its hindfoot which can deliver venom - a  feature which very few mammals possess. It has no visible ears.

==Threats==

==Threats==

The platypus is currently listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List of endangered species;<ref>http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/40488/0</ref> however, the actual number of living individuals in the wild is unknown.  The species is dependent on slow-moving streams and shallow-water lakes and ponds, areas which have been disrupted by tropical cyclones over there northern range.  In addition, man has made inroads into their habitat and altering areas via poor land management, such as excess sedimentation from farm run-off and forestry.  Traps meant for fish have also drowned platypus, which has the adverse impact of affecting small populations of these animals in critical areas.

The platypus is currently listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List of endangered species;<ref name="iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/40488/0</ref> however, the actual number of living individuals in the wild is unknown.  The species is dependent on slow-moving streams and shallow-water lakes and ponds, areas which have been disrupted by tropical cyclones over there northern range.  In addition, man has made inroads into their habitat and altering areas via poor land management, such as excess sedimentation from farm run-off and forestry.  Traps meant for fish have also drowned platypus, which has the adverse impact of affecting small populations of these animals in critical areas.

Apart from man, the chief predator is the introduced [[red fox]] (''Vulpes vulpes''), which scavenges unattended nesting holes for eggs.

Apart from man, the chief predator is the introduced [[red fox]] (''Vulpes vulpes''), which scavenges unattended nesting holes for eggs.