Definition of platypuses Platypuses

We found 3 definitions of platypuses from 2 different sources.

What does platypuses mean?

Wiktionary

platypuses (Noun)
Plural of platypus.

Part of speech

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platypuses, noun, plural of platypus.

WordNet

Noun Plural: platypuses
platypus - small densely furred aquatic monotreme of Australia and Tasmania having a broad bill and tail and webbed feet; only species in the family Ornithorhynchidae
		duckbill, duckbilled platypus, duck-billed platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus
		egg-laying mammal, monotreme the most primitive mammals comprising the only extant members of the subclass Prototheria

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Wiktionary

platypus (Noun)
An egg-laying, semi-aquatic mammal with a bill resembling that of a duck, that has a mole-like body, a tail resembling that of a beaver, a waterproof pelt, and flat webbed feet — males have poisonous spurs on the inside of the back legs; Ornithorhynchus anatinus .

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

platypus (n.)
The duck mole. See under Duck.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

platypus
A semi-aquatic mammal of the species Ornithorhynchus anatinus that lays eggs.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

platypus
plat′i-poos, n. the duck-bill (q.v.). [Gr. platys, flat, pous, a foot.]

Wikipedia

The platypus ("Ornithorhynchus anatinus") is a small mammal of the order "Monotremata". It lives in eastern Australia.

It spends some time in water, and some time on land. There are only four types of mammals which lay eggs. One is the platypus. The other three egg-laying mammals are kinds of echidnas. A mammal that lays eggs is called a monotreme.

The scientific name for a platypus comes from 2 Greek words: "ornithorhynchus" which means "bird nose" and "Anatinus" which means "duck". First, scientists gave the name "platypus" (flat foot) to its group. But this name was already used for the ambrosia beetle, a beetle which lives in wood.

What sort of animal is it?

The platypus looks similar to a beaver with a brown, furry body and wide, flat tail. Unlike a beaver, it has webbed feet (joined toes), which are good for swimming. Its nose is large and rubbery. The platypus is sometimes "duck billed platypus" because of this nose. It is similar to a duck's bill (mouth). Platypuses can be big or small. The larger platypus live in Tasmania while the smaller ones live in Queensland. Adults can be less than or up to. Its body can be from to long. Its tail can be from to long. Males are about one-third (1/3) larger than females.

The male platypus has sharp spines on his legs called "ankle spurs" which contain a mild poison. It will not kill humans, but the poison has been known to kill small animals, such as dogs, and cause pain lasting as long as 4 months. The amount of poison increases