What Scientists Learned from the Oldest Wild Platypus Ever Found
When the first specimen was brought to Europe in 1799, naturalists assumed it was a hoax created by combining parts of different animals together. Physical Characteristics and Adaptations Platypus
Paleontological evidence shows that ancestors of the modern platypus were toothed and lived alongside dinosaurs. Fossil records, such as those of the Obdurodon genus, show that these ancestors were larger and, unlike the modern platypus which lacks teeth, possessed functional molars. What Scientists Learned from the Oldest Wild Platypus
The platypus is highly adapted to its semi-aquatic lifestyle, weighing between 1.3 to 3.7 kg for females and up to 6.6 kg for males, with a total length around 50 cm. Platypus