Family ORNITHORHYNCHIDAE

(PLATYPUS)

* Small-sized streamlined, semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal, with distinctive pliable bill covered with naked moist skin, short limbs, broad flat tail, conspicuously webbed forefeet, and dense fine underfur and coarse overlaying guard hairs.

e 40-60 cm.

Australasian Region.

Inland freshwater bodies and associated riparian zones.

1 genus, 1 species, 1 taxon.

No species threatened; none Extinct since 1600.