Duck-Billed Platypus
Note: When referring to the Platypus, reference is to the Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Adaptations & Survival
Structural, Behavioural and Physiological adaptations of the Platypus and how each assists in the organism surviving
Structural Adaptation:
The Platypuses bill is the most essential part of the Platypus and is its major tool. The Platypus uses touch and receptors on its bill to locate its prey, however is also required to mechanically digest its food. The bill allows the Platypus to find and digest food, which ultimately allows it to survive, as without it the Platypus wouldn’t be able to eat its food and therefore die.
Structural Adaptation:
The Platypuses bill is the most essential part of the Platypus and is its major tool. The Platypus uses touch and receptors on its bill to locate its prey, however is also required to mechanically digest its food. The bill allows the Platypus to find and digest food, which ultimately allows it to survive, as without it the Platypus wouldn’t be able to eat its food and therefore die.
Behavioural Adaptation:
The Platypus while underwater decides to sweep it bill from side to side every so often and does so a few times a second. This allows it to sought its way through the riverbed, navigate where it is going and pick up impulses, which ultimately allow it to track its food. This behavioural adaptation allows it to survive, as it is one of the major ways in which it can find food and navigate where it is going to escape from predators. The following clip is a video, displaying the sweeping of the bill.
The Platypus while underwater decides to sweep it bill from side to side every so often and does so a few times a second. This allows it to sought its way through the riverbed, navigate where it is going and pick up impulses, which ultimately allow it to track its food. This behavioural adaptation allows it to survive, as it is one of the major ways in which it can find food and navigate where it is going to escape from predators. The following clip is a video, displaying the sweeping of the bill.
platypus_(online-video-cutter.com).mp4 | |
File Size: | 2314 kb |
File Type: | mp4 |
If the above file doesn't work, use this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or3RmgKG_jc.
Physiological Adaptation:
A significant physiological adaptation of the Platypus is that when it enters the water, an increase in the amount of haemoglobin and red blood cells within the bloodstream, allows the Platypus to remain underwater for longer periods of time. As a result, this allows the Platypus to survive underwater for longer periods of time, instead of drowning.
A significant physiological adaptation of the Platypus is that when it enters the water, an increase in the amount of haemoglobin and red blood cells within the bloodstream, allows the Platypus to remain underwater for longer periods of time. As a result, this allows the Platypus to survive underwater for longer periods of time, instead of drowning.