![]() It also has a reptile-like gait, with legs that are on the sides of rather than underneath the body. The platypus has extra bones in the shoulder girdle, including an interclavicle, which is not found in other mammals. However, the external opening of the ear still lies at the base of the jaw. As in all true mammals, the tiny bones that conduct sound to the inner ear are fully incorporated into the skull, rather than lying in the jaw as in cynodonts and other pre-mammalian synapsids. The platypus jaw is constructed somewhat differently from that of other mammals, and the jaw opening muscle is different. Modern platypus young have tribosphenic (three-cusped) molars, which are one of the hallmarks of mammals adults are toothless. Platypus Image provided by Classroom Clip Art ( ) There is substantial variation in average size from one region to another, though oddly this pattern does not seem to follow any particular climatic rule. Males are around one-third larger than females. Weight varies considerably between less than a kilogram (two pounds) and over two kilograms (just under four and one half pounds) with body length ranging from 30 to 40 cm (nearly 1 ' to 1'3 "), and tail length from 10 to 15 cm (4" to 6") for males and 8 to 13 cm (3" to 5") for females. ![]() It has webbed feet and a large, rubbery snout that are more reminiscent of a duck's features than those of any known mammal. The body and the broad, flat tail of the platypus are covered with brown fur. ![]() The extent to which this is a characteristic of monotremes, as opposed to an adaptation on the part of the small number of surviving species to harsh environmental conditions, is uncertain. ![]() The platypus' metabolic rate is remarkably low compared to other mammals, with a body temperature averaging 32? C (90? F) rather than the 38?C (100.4?F) typical of placental mammals. ![]()
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