Quick answer
The platypus is a small, semi-aquatic Australian mammal with a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail. It is one of only five mammal species that lay eggs (a monotreme), and males have a venomous spur. Platypuses typically live 6 to 15 years in the wild.
Key takeaway
The platypus is a small, semi-aquatic Australian mammal with a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail. It is one of only five mammal species that lay eggs (a monotreme), and males have a venomous spur. Platypuses typically live 6 to 15 years in the wild.
Platypus overview
Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a mammal listed here as Near Threatened. Typical weight 0.7–2.4 kg (1.5–5.3 lb); lifespan around 6–15 years in the wild.
Platypus ecology
Diet: Carnivore (insect larvae, worms, shellfish). Habitat: Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Platypuss and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild platypuss are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Near Threatened. See the full Platypus profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Habitat and range
Platypuses live only in eastern Australia, from the tropical rivers of northern Queensland down through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania. They need permanent freshwater with earthen banks for burrowing and spend much of the day resting, becoming active at dawn and dusk to forage.
Conservation
The platypus is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Drought, river regulation, land clearing, and entanglement in litter and illegal nets have shrunk its range and numbers. Because it is so dependent on healthy waterways, the platypus is treated as an indicator of river health across eastern Australia.
Sources
Platypus FAQs
What are key facts about platypuss?
The platypus is a small, semi-aquatic Australian mammal with a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail. It is one of only five mammal species that lay eggs (a monotreme), and males have a venomous spur. Platypuses typically live 6 to 15 years in the wild.
What is the scientific name of the platypus?
Ornithorhynchus anatinus — used in research and conservation listings for platypuss.
What do platypuss eat?
Platypuss eat insect larvae, worms and shellfish, with seasonal and regional variation in Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes.
Where do platypuss live?
They are associated with Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of platypuss?
Listed in our guides as Near Threatened. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.