Talk:Platypus

Lack of a Stomach
As far as I can tell, this article does not mention the fact that platypus' oesophagus lead directly to their intestine, as they do not possess a stomach. How/where should this be implemented? GhostofaThousandArticles (talk) 17:24, 5 February 2024 (UTC)


 * Do you have a reliable reference for this information? - UtherSRG (talk) 17:31, 5 February 2024 (UTC)
 * There are several sources that bluntly state that the platypus doesn't have a stomach, but this seemingly reliable source, tells a slightly more complex story - "The platypus’s digestive tract includes a small expanded pouch-like section where one would normally expect a stomach to be found. The stomach doesn’t secrete digestive acids or enzymes, though it does contain Brunner’s glands (which produce a mucus-rich fluid to assist nutrient absorption)...." HiLo48 (talk) 01:13, 6 February 2024 (UTC)
 * Thank you, I was trying to find something that went more in depth into it. GhostofaThousandArticles (talk) 15:56, 7 February 2024 (UTC)

Platypuses Excrition
I've been searching for a while what type of excretion does platypuses have because they are mammals so you'd assume they excrete urea like other mammals but it's also problematic because they have an egg unlike other mammals (it's problematic because urea is soluble in water and is toxic so it would kill the embryo) and other creatures with eggs (for example reptiles and birds) use uric acid instead because it's not water soluble and not toxic. What I finally found out is that they excrete urea like other mammals and it works with their eggs because they have a soft egg so the urea can get out of it and not kill the embryo (similar thing happens with fish that use ammonia which is even more toxic). I think this fact should be added to the wiki page on platypuses. My main source and a source that has a bunch of information about platypus's biology - Source Vupini (talk) 23:20, 18 April 2024 (UTC)
 * That looks like a good source, so yes, feel free to add the content. HiLo48 (talk) 02:19, 19 April 2024 (UTC)
 * The page is protected so I can't add content to it. Vupini (talk) 11:35, 19 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Then use edit protected to request the change you want to make, using an explicit "Change X to Y" format or "Add the following text after existing text" format. - UtherSRG (talk) 12:55, 19 April 2024 (UTC)

Biofluorescence
Biofluorescence in the platypus was recently disproved by this article: https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-platypus-hoax-that-tricked-the-world-but-illuminated-a-different-animal-wonder-20240701-p5jq5m.html 155.93.137.169 (talk) 18:39, 2 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Well, not exactly "disproven" - the study that the piece refers to is actually rather cagey about the issue, and only makes very general cautionary statements about the potential effects of preservatives on luminescence. It doesn't even refer to that specific item/report in this respect. I suppose one could add something like "although it has been suggested that this may have been affected by preservatives used on the tested museum specimen (ref)", but nothing stronger, absent more in-depth coverage. -- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 07:16, 3 July 2024 (UTC)

Lifespan
Hi, I can't edit this page, but the information on lifespan seems out of date. This article currently says: In captivity, platypuses have survived to 17 years of age, and wild specimens have been recaptured when 11 years old. A 2024 study has new info on their longevity: the oldest wild platypus found has been 24, and the oldest in captivity is 30 years old as of writing (birthday in October). For someone's editing consideration! --71.126.43.203 (talk) 14:02, 8 July 2024 (UTC)
 * You're right. Those figures were out of date. I have update them. HiLo48 (talk) 03:25, 9 July 2024 (UTC)