American platypus

The American platypus (Neornithorhynchus americanum) is a species of semiaquatic, egg-laying mammal of the family Ornithorhynchidae, most closely related to the Australian platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, lakes, rivers, ponds, forests, and open woodlands across North America and South America to help boost biodiversity. The body and the broad, flat tail of the American platypus are covered with dense, brown, biofluorescent fur that traps a layer of insulating air to keep the animal warm. The fur is waterproof, and the texture is akin to that of a mole. The American platypus uses its tail for storage of fat reserves. The webbing on the feet is more significant on the front feet and is folded back when walking on land. The elongated snout and lower jaw are covered in soft skin, forming the bill. The nostrils are located on the dorsal surface of the snout, while the eyes and ears are located in a groove set just back from it; this groove is closed when swimming. American platypuses have been heard to emit a low growl when disturbed and a range of other vocalisations have been reported in captive specimens. Weight varies considerably from 0.7 to 2.4 kilograms (1 lb 9 oz to 5 lb 5 oz), with males being larger than females. Males average 50 cm (20 inches) in total length, while females average 43 cm (17 inches), with substantial variation in average size from one region to another. Like other monotremes, it senses prey through electrolocation. It is one of the several species of venomous mammals, as the male American platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom, capable of causing severe pain to humans. The American platypus is generally regarded as nocturnal and crepuscular, but individuals are also active during the day, particularly when the sky is overcast. Its habitat bridges rivers and the riparian zone for both a food supply of prey species, and banks where it can dig resting and nesting burrows. The American platypus is an excellent swimmer and spends much of its time in the water foraging for food. It has a very characteristic swimming style and no external ears. Uniquely among mammals, it propels itself when swimming by an alternate rowing motion of the front feet; although all four feet of the American platypus are webbed, the hind feet (which are held against the body) do not assist in propulsion, but are used for steering in combination with the tail. The American platypus is a carnivore: it feeds on annelid worms, insect larvae, freshwater shrimp, freshwater crayfish, and mollusks that it digs out of the riverbed with its snout or catches while swimming. It uses cheek-pouches to carry prey to the surface, where it is eaten. The American platypus needs to eat about 16% of its own weight each day, which requires it to spend an average of 12 hours daily looking for food, however, it requires less food than the Australian platypus due to its slightly lower metabolism. The species exhibits a single breeding season; mating occurs between March and July, with some local variation taking place between different populations across its range. Females become sexually mature in their second year, with breeding taking place in animals even over nine years old. Outside the mating season, the American platypus lives in a simple ground burrow, the entrance of which is about 30 centimeters (12 inches) above the water level. After mating, the female constructs a deeper, more elaborate burrow up to 20 meters (65 feet) long and blocked at intervals with plugs (which acts as a safeguard against rising waters or predators, and as a method of regulating humidity and temperature). The male takes no part in caring for its young, and retreats to his year-long burrow. The female softens the ground in the burrow with dead, folded, wet leaves, and she fills the nest at the end of the tunnel with fallen leaves and reeds for bedding material. This material is dragged to the nest by tucking it underneath her curled tail. It lays one to five (usually three) small, leathery eggs (similar to those of reptiles), about 11 mm (7⁄16 in) in diameter and slightly rounder than bird eggs. The eggs develop in utero for about 28 days, with only about 10 days of external incubation. After laying her eggs, the female curls around them. Newly hatched American platypuses are vulnerable, blind, and hairless, and are fed by the mother's milk. Although possessing mammary glands, the American platypus lacks teats. Instead, milk is released through pores in the skin. The milk pools in grooves on her abdomen, allowing the young to lap it up. After they hatch, the offspring are suckled for three to four months. During incubation and weaning, the mother initially leaves the burrow only for short periods, to forage. When doing so, she creates a number of thin soil plugs along the length of the burrow to protect the young from predators; pushing past these on her return forces water from her fur and allows the burrow to remain dry. After about five weeks, the mother begins to spend more time away from her young, and at around four months, the young emerge from the burrow. The American platypus is born with teeth, but these drop out at a very early age, leaving the horny plates it uses to grind food. The conservation status of the American platypus is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the American platypus's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.