Talk:Platypus/Archive 3

"... Natural predators include snakes, water rats, goannas, hawks, owls, and eagles.... "
Following on from the previous sentence, presumeably this paragraph is talking about adult platypus. It seems to me highly unlikely that a water rat, a Goshawk or an owl, even our largest, the Powerful Owl, would be large enough able to predate on a platypus. This is a sentence with no citations, and I dispute it. Old_Wombat (talk) 09:09, 23 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Yes, I think this is fair comment. The statement is obscure as to whether a) it means these predators are actually known to predate platypus, or b) are round and about and might predate platypus. I think we are interested in what the evidence is, and whether the predation is upon the young or upon the adults. I can't imagine the adults are vulnerable to smaller predators. Macdonald-ross (talk) 08:44, 21 August 2012 (UTC)

This may seem like a trivial source as It may take it's info from here but http://www.thebigzoo.com/Animals/Duck-Billed_Platypus.asp also seems to have the same predators listed. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.205.198.123 (talk) 01:14, 30 November 2012 (UTC)

Edit request on 25 November 2012
I would like to add to the platypus page that in Oregon you are considered a platypus if you have not chosen to be a Duck (University of Oregon) or a Beaver (Oregon State University) hard core fan. If you are neutral, you are a Platypus. I have been an Oregonian since birth (46 years old) and it has always been this way. Barbara Ibrahim, Metolius Oregon

68.70.227.108 (talk) 07:53, 25 November 2012 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. Callanecc (talk • contribs • logs) 10:11, 25 November 2012 (UTC)

biome, habitat, diet
Where do the info on the platypuses biome, habitat, diet lie in this article - I cannot find them. These feel like a must have for the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by RoyaleCrown (talk • contribs) 01:24, 30 November 2012 (UTC)

Diet
Is there diet in this article? I cannot find it.

>>Delete this<<

Fake timestamp for archive 12:00, 01 December 2012 (UTC)

Archiving
Does anyone have an objection if I set up MiszaBot to archive threads which 90 day old? I'll set it to leave at least 3 threads on the talk page. Callanecc (talk • contribs • logs) 09:13, 13 December 2012‎ (UTC)
 * I've set up the archiving. Callanecc (talk • contribs • logs) 03:17, 17 December 2012 (UTC)

Cultural references
I was shocked that under cultural references, Perry the platypus did not appear. He is the pet platypus in the show Phineas and Ferb. He also happens to be a secret agent and saves the tri-state area from evil scientists. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.109.241.60 (talk) 05:29, 23 December 2012 (UTC)


 * I am shocked that you read so poorly. Perry cracks a mention in the fifth paragraph of that section. Good luck. HiLo48 (talk) 05:36, 23 December 2012 (UTC)

I'm personally stunned that Flap the Platypus from the Adventures of Blinky Bill wasn't mentioned here... I grew up with that show, and Flap was one of the main characters after all. 202.144.181.180 (talk) 06:41, 17 January 2013 (UTC)justaquickie202.144.181.180 (talk) 06:41, 17 January 2013 (UTC)


 * Be stunned no longer. I've just added a mention of Flap to the article. Thanks for the suggestion. HiLo48 (talk) 08:08, 17 January 2013 (UTC)

20 cents coin
The source for the information is available: Australian Government. Royal Australian Mint. Twenty cents. http://www.ramint.gov.au/designs/ram-designs/20c.cfm. Retrieved 01-04-2013. 200.222.27.249 (talk) 19:06, 4 January 2013 (UTC)
 * Added. FallingGravity (talk) 21:11, 4 January 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 6 March 2013
I would like to add the following link to the External links section. Thanks!


 * View the platypus genome in Ensembl

Gspudich (talk) 13:46, 6 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Normally I am very hesitant to add new external links to an article but I think this is better than some of the ELs already on the article. If no one objects within 24 hours of your request I will go ahead and add it. &mdash; KuyaBriBri Talk 14:58, 6 March 2013 (UTC)


 * Yes check.svg Done. Appears non-controversial, added.  — daranz [ t ] 22:08, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Who gets to make a page semi-protected?
Currently the person who has put a block on editing the Platypus page is an expert in Military History who says that he no longer has access to the internet. No one has been able to update the page since 2010. My student wants to make edits and cite recent literature to keep the page up to date but cannot. I can understand if this was a Platypus expert using peer-review to make sure that the page is accurate, but this case seems to defeat the mission of wikipedia. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bobbrodman (talk • contribs) 19:12, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * The page actually has been edited since 2010, if you'd look at the page history (here are the changes). "Semi-protection" only stops people without an account and some new users from editing that page, as a way to combat vandalism. If your students hangs around here for a few days and reaches WP:Autoconfirmed status, then s/he should be able to edit this page. FallingGravity (talk) 19:48, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Actually the person who applied the protection to Platypus, User:HJ Mitchell, edited two days ago. Where did he tell you he no longer have access to the internet?  Your students still can edit the article.  All they have to do is create an account, then make 10 edits over the course of 4 days.  After 96 hours have elapsed from the time they made their account they can edit the page.  GB fan 19:56, 18 April 2013 (UTC)

Eating a sleeping habits
Under the ecology and behaviour header, the platypus is said to eat for an average of 12hours a day [49] and sleep an average of 14hours a day [51]. I feel this would need validation/clarification. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 159.33.10.155 (talk) 18:15, 5 June 2013 (UTC)

Mention of Red Fox? Not relevant?
In the conservation section, there is discussion of issues in Tassie and then follows a sentence on the possible presence of Red Fox. Given Fox are on the mainland and the platypus is OK, is this worth noting? Is there some implication that either Fox relate to the disease or threaten conservation? I suggest removing the sentence. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Mimarx (talk • contribs) 22:09, 12 August 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 30 August 2013
Please correct this line:  Since the platypus lacks the mammalian sex-determining gene SRY, the mechanism of sex determination remains unknown.[69]

If you go the the page http://useast.ensembl.org/Ornithorhynchus_anatinus/Info/Annotation#assembly and look at the information they state about the platypus that was sequenced they used a FEMALE platypus "The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) genome of a female nicknamed "Glennie" (collected at the Upper Barnard River on Glen Rock Station, New South Wales) was sequenced to a total of 6x whole genome coverage." Since the SRY gene is found on the Y sex chromosome the article is drawing the conclusion that the entire Platypus species lacks the SRY gene simply because the DNA selected for sequencing came from a female lacking the Y chromosome hence the sample DNA lacked the SRY containing chromosome.

Also I would recommend you search all of your articles regarding gene sequencing that make statements regarding the presence or absence of the SRY gene since I've noticed that they've also done the sequencing of the cow and dog(boxer) on females as well, again these genomes would lack the Y chromosome (thus they wouldn't see any SRY presence in the DNA sequence)

RonBelby (talk) 00:05, 31 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Please provide the actual edit you want made, not a general description of the change. - UtherSRG (talk) 08:07, 31 August 2013 (UTC)

Egg photo
A photo of a platypus egg would be a good addition to the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 162.106.4.145 (talk) 07:30, 10 October 2013 (UTC)

Obdurodon tharalkooschild
Hey Y'all,
 * Nat Geo news
 * The Guardian David Woodward ☮ ♡♢☞☽ 02:48, 5 November 2013 (UTC)
 * and e! Science News David Woodward ☮ ♡♢☞☽ 02:59, 5 November 2013 (UTC)
 * and the ABC: "Giant toothed platypus roamed Australia" --Shirt58 (talk) 03:21, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Edit request, 5 November 2013
Under "Cultural References" section the last entry sited as "85" is incorrect. Robin Williams was not in the movie Dogma; George Carlin was. However as to what Robin Williams is quoted as saying, that is correct; however he said it in a comedy special titled "Live at The Met"

Wisconsinb (talk) 20:03, 5 November 2013 (UTC)


 * Yes check.svg Done. Thanks. The sentence was mis-punctuated. I've fixed that. --Stfg (talk) 22:11, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 27 December 2013
I think the term 'duck-billed platypus' should be mentioned alongside 'platypus' in the first sentence. In my experience it is the far more common term, at least to the general public.

2.102.82.251 (talk) 23:40, 27 December 2013 (UTC)


 * Which general public???? Figaro (talk) 12:13, 29 December 2013 (UTC)

By 'general public' I meant ordinary people, i.e. those who have no experience in the field of science, so have no need for an accurate or precise name for the animal. 88.104.243.104 (talk) 13:27, 30 December 2013 (UTC)


 * Yes, but in which country - or countries? Figaro (talk) 16:24, 31 December 2013 (UTC)

The U.K. 17:23, 31 December 2013 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.104.247.204 (talk)


 * Padlock-olive-arrow2.svg Not done: page move requests should be made at Requested moves. While I agree with you, if this is the more common term, than more then a mention needs to happen. If that is the case the page should be moved to the more common term with a redirect left behind and this is not something I can do from an Edit semi-protected request.  I'd be happy to tag the page for move if you can post some evidence here that 'duck-billed platypus' is more common.  Thanks! Technical 13 (talk) 05:15, 29 December 2013 (UTC)

This doesn't appear on its face as a move/rename-request, just to add an additional commonly used name ("along side", not "instead of"). Articles do that all the time (even when the alternative is not strictly correct or as common as the formal name). And I would not object to doing that. What are everyone's opinions on the first sentence reading (with addition underlined):
 * The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus, often called Duck-billed platypus ) is

Duck-billed platypus is already a redirect to this article and gets ~15 hits/day. DMacks (talk) 17:12, 30 December 2013 (UTC)

Platypus prey
Photos and information about the prey and nutrients of the platypus would be an excellent addition. Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.172.177.99 (talk) 23:53, 17 November 2013 (UTC)

I agree, I was trying to find substantial information with a solid source. I found an article from Australian NatGeo that states the "Mostly nocturnal, the platypus feeds on yabbies, worms, insect larvae and snails." It is not much, but it is a start. Glitteringrose68 (talk) 15:19, 15 April 2014 (UTC)

Eggs
This animal is one of few mammals that lays eggs but there are no pictures of these eggs on the page. Can some please find a good picture to give an idea of; size, texture, color, ect. It would greatly be appreciated. Thanks, Reedman72 (talk) 00:38, 16 April 2014 (UTC)

Images
Hi, Would either of these images from the Monotreme page be useful for this page? One is a generalized monotreme egg diagram and one is a diagram of platypus reproductive system? I don't want to change this featured article without seeing other people's thoughts. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Earthdirt (talk • contribs) 10:51, 23 May 2014 (UTC)

Platypus suckling
Is it evidence for the ancient origin of the platypus that it has no developed nipples and suckles its young via pores in the skin which, in other mammals, have evolved into specialized organs for dispensing milk? Myles325a (talk) 10:24, 29 May 2014 (UTC)

26 hour day
We have one source that says platypus spend 12 hours a day feeding, another that they spend 14 hours a day sleeping. One of these must be wrong. 203.161.10.6 (talk) 05:17, 16 July 2014 (UTC)
 * One value is "average" (12 feeding), the other is "as long as" (14 sleeping). So it sometimes could be 12+12 (sleeping less than maximum), and sometimes could be 10+14 (on days it sleeps more it obviously feeds less, but other longer-feeding/shorter-sleeping days balance it out). DMacks (talk) 05:23, 16 July 2014 (UTC)

Food
What does the platypus even eat? It's pretty important, and the article doesn't emphasize it if it even tells the prey. Kenneth16622 (talk) 16:45, 27 July 2014 (UTC)
 * The information has now been added to the article under the subheading "Diet". Figaro (talk) 07:13, 28 July 2014 (UTC)

Mating and Venom
Could anyone further explain how the venom actually affects platypus to platypus contact? I realize it states that venom production increases during mating season but how does the venom affect each other apart from other small animals?

How is reproduction achieved? I have read up on the echidna, and they have four penises for reproduction (only two ejaculate on opposing sides while alternating during mating). Since monotremes are one break away from echidna, how does the platypus mate?

Mating season seems to be concrete; however, I have found an article where individual adult females breed randomly throughout the mating season. Would this be able to enlighten reproductive success?

Flint.39 (talk) 07:07, 1 October 2014 (UTC)Dillon Flint

Semi-protected edit request on 11 November 2014
I feel that at the start they should add after egg laying they should put poisonous because that's more important than I feel they're making it sound like

your feeding time (12 hrs) and sleeping time (14 hrs) add up to more then 24 hours

216.183.158.154 (talk) 22:40, 12 November 2014 (UTC)

I feel an addition needs to be made in order to directly understand the importance the platypus is as a transition animal between reptilians and mammals. Some more information could help clarify this importance. With improved technology, scientists have been able to use DNA and genetic mapping in order to further classify and understand the relationship of animals. Through this mapping, the platypus has been observed to contain the protamine (P1) genes; however, lack cysteine residues which are common to all mammals. When lacking these introns of the P1 gene, this becomes much more similar to reptiles and birds. These cysteine residues weaken the sperm nuclei and allow them to be susceptible to disruption. The platypus contains parts of mammals (P1 gene) but lack the cysteine residues (which are common to mammals) confirm their importance as a transition animal.

Another interesting point to be made lies within the gastric functions of the platypus. Through the evolution of the platypus, there has been a loss of genes, in turn, causing a loss of gastric functions within itself. By losing the pepsin gene, the platypus has lost an ability to increase acidity within its stomach. All mammals contain this gene which causes an increase of acidity (decrease in pH) in order to aid in digestion. It has been theorized that monotreme success lies within this selected loss. The loss has been theorized to be advantageous since many parasites and pathogens are unable to survive in a higher pH (more basic) environment. Not only that, this mammals has an unnatural immunity because its genome contains "at least 214 natural killer receptor genes [...] much larger than for [the] humans 15."

I feel these would both be very helpful additions in understanding the platypus evolution and its continued survival. Let me know what you think and do some research if available to confirm my findings. Flint.39 (talk) 01:28, 17 November 2014 (UTC)Dillon Flint

Semi-protected edit request on 30 December 2014
In the first paragraph it is said that platypus are the only mammals that lay eggs. This is not true as the Echidna also lays eggs. Funnily enough the Wikipedia article about the Echidna also claims that it is the only mammal that lays eggs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna

84.112.82.154 (talk) 23:37, 30 December 2014 (UTC)
 * Pictogram voting question.svg Question: Do you have any independent reliable source that lists the mammals that lay eggs so this can be fixed globally? — &#123;&#123;U&#124;Technical 13&#125;&#125; (e • t • c) 23:51, 30 December 2014 (UTC)
 * I think you're misreading the text that is already in place. The sentence in the first paragraph is says that Together with the four species of echinda, they're the only mammals that lay eggs Cannolis (talk) 00:47, 31 December 2014 (UTC)

Duck mole
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Australian_English_vocabulary for a wandering discussion on the use of "duck mole" for the platypusBrunswicknic (talk) 12:46, 20 January 2015 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Brunswicknic (talk • contribs) 12:43, 20 January 2015 (UTC)

Long Days
Hi All,

in the section about Ecology and behaviour the article says: "The average sleep time of a platypus is said to be as long as 14 hours per day" in the section about Diet the article says: "requires it to spend an average of 12 hours daily looking for food". I don't live in Australia, but last time i visited it, the days appeared to be 24 hours like here, not 26... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.204.116.67 (talk) 10:58, 10 February 2015 (UTC)

Correction for location of Australian Reptile Park
It claims that the Australian Reptile Park is in Foster, NSW. It's actually in Somersby, NSW (or Central Coast, NSW). Clicking on the link is self-explanatory. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 101.174.22.149 (talk) 09:22, 12 November 2015 (UTC)

Red Foxes?
I've removed the following sentence from the section on conservation status:


 * Until recently, the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was confined to mainland Australia, but growing evidence now indicates it is present in low numbers in Tasmania.

It followed on without explanation from the part about fungal disease in Tasmania. there's no explanation as to whether or not foxes predate upon platypuses or are disease vectors, so until someone can add information on its relevance to the article... Stub Mandrel (talk) 21:35, 24 January 2016 (UTC)

The platypus (also known as the duck-billed platypus),is a semi aquatic mammal that lays eggs. And live in steams and lakes in parts of Australia. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.165.250.165 (talk) 17:21, 5 March 2016 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 23 March 2016
do a search for the word predation will lead you to an area speaking about the eyes. It states "A temporal (ear side) concentration of retinal ganglion cells, important for binocular vision, indicates a role in predation, while the accompanying visual acuity is insufficient for such activities." I believe that a link should be added to predation to take you to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predation. I read it, thought I understood the meaning of the word, but still felt compelled to verify. I did not feel comfortable making this change myself, since I didn't want to upset the quality of the article

Monery123 (talk) 14:37, 23 March 2016 (UTC)
 * Link added. DrChrissy (talk) 18:17, 23 March 2016 (UTC)
 * Pictogram voting wait.svg Already done  Eve rgr een Fir  (talk) Please &#123;&#123;re&#125;&#125; 19:25, 24 March 2016 (UTC)

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Image of Eggs
Why is there no picture of the animals eggs on the page? I've looked but I cant find one on the internet either. Reedman72 (talk) 06:49, 17 December 2015 (UTC)


 * A human finding platypus eggs is rare, so not suprised that there are no images on commons. ThePlatypusofDoom (talk) 21:37, 9 April 2016 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 19 April 2016
Hi,

I was wondering if someone would like to add an additional place sancutary/park for Platypus habitation and viewing in Queensland. It is in the following section Queensland Platypus House at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Queensland David Fleay Wildlife Park, Gold Coast, Queensland. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane, Queensland.[79] Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre, Brisbane, Queensland.[80]

The Australian Platypus Park at Tarzali Lakes, Millaa Millaa, Queensland with a link to the website: http://www.australianplatypuspark.com/

Thank you Robyn

Robynhughescns (talk) 01:22, 19 April 2016 (UTC)


 * Done. Figaro (talk) 09:20, 19 April 2016 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 3 June 2016
Add Pp-semi template.

--186.84.46.227 (talk) 01:45, 3 June 2016 (UTC)
 * Yes check.svg Done —&thinsp;JJMC89&thinsp; (T·C) 02:48, 3 June 2016 (UTC)

MeroBlastic
The article refers to meroPlastic division; it should be meroBlastic. As the article is semi-protected, could someone change it please. You may delete this request afterwards for tidiness. 86.133.60.200 (talk) 15:43, 28 August 2016 (UTC)
 * Fixed. Thanks for catching and reporting that! DMacks (talk) 05:04, 14 September 2016 (UTC)

taxonomy?
Section: "Taxonomy and etymology" hardly tells anything about the platypus' taxonomy. If there's nothing in this regard to put forth, the renaming of the section could be considered. 176.63.176.112 (talk) 21:55, 16 October 2016 (UTC).

Article on Platypus needs correction of date
It appears that the date given in the first paragraph (1978) for when a preserved platypus carcass was examined and thought to be several animals sewn together, should actually be 1798. I would be surprised if such a thing occurred as late as 1978, when the platypus was already well known. On the other hand, later in the article it is mentioned that the platypus was first discovered by Europeans in 1798. This seems to be the most likely date for scientists to believe that a preserved specimen was actually parts from several animals sewn together.

12.171.12.131 (talk) 22:50, 29 November 2016 (UTC)Valerie

Cultural Reference
The 1960 hit song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" by Rolf Harris begs "Mind me platypus duck, Bill". --Argustears (talk) 11:40, 3 December 2016 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 15 March 2017
Dippenaar Jericho (talk) 14:38, 15 March 2017 (UTC) Platypus is very beautiful
 * Unclear request. Please explain what you would like changed and provide reliable sources for the information.  ~ GB fan 14:43, 15 March 2017 (UTC)

Trivia: Perry the Platypus
Yesterday I added this trivia to the Cultural references: It got reverted as "non-notable trivia".
 * Perry the Platypus, is an anthropomorphic platypus introduced in the animated series Phineas and Ferb in 2007.

I think Phineas and Ferb are quite a notable phenomenon. --Manorainjan (talk) 10:25, 15 March 2017 (UTC)


 * Imagine adding every. single. cartoon. that ever featured a mouse to House mouse. Again I'd like to refer to this XKCD. We really don't want to go there.-- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 10:48, 15 March 2017 (UTC)


 * So, You refer to an opinion expressed in a cartoon as an argument that contents of cartoons are not relevant? --Manorainjan (talk) 10:59, 15 March 2017 (UTC)

A webcomic has no impact on this decision. If the platypus was an animal that frequently appeared in pop culture, then I would agree that it would not be relevant. However, platypus don't frequently appeared in pop culture, and Phineas and Ferb is an extremely popular show and Perry is a very important part of the show. JDDJS (talk) 13:48, 15 March 2017 (UTC)


 * Then I suggest you provide a secondary reference for both of these statements, and you'll be on firmer ground. The frequent "ooh, this is in my favourite cartoon!" addition luckily has a short half-life on Wikipedia these days.-- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 15:07, 15 March 2017 (UTC)


 * Do You want to express, that according to Your opinion arguments have a Half-life on Wikipedia? They decay over time? You need to hear them regularly for thinking they are valid? --Manorainjan (talk) 16:18, 15 March 2017 (UTC)
 * I'll do you the favour of just ignoring this blathering.-- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 07:31, 16 March 2017 (UTC)

Thank you, that's good sourcing now. After cutting away the 90% overkill in quoting, we should be good.-- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 07:31, 16 March 2017 (UTC)

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plural of platypus
the article states "Colloquially, the term "platypi" is also used for the plural, although this is technically incorrect and a form of pseudo-Latin;[9] the correct Greek plural would be "platypodes"." The last part is correct, but regarding the first part, why is it pseudo-Latin? The article also says "The common name "platypus" is the latinisation of the Greek word πλατύπους", so if it is the latinisation, why not allow a Latin plural? If platypus became a Latin word through the process of 'latinisation', the plural would be platypi. --Richardson mcphillips (talk) 01:48, 29 October 2017 (UTC)
 * "latinized" as in created as an English word using the Latin alphabet from the Greek alphabet, not having its roots in the Latin language. Pseudo-Latin seems like an appropriate label for "platypi" to me then as the article states. It's the same with Octopus (see ). – Rhinopias (talk) 02:40, 29 October 2017 (UTC)

or "latinized" as in made into a Latin word for scientific purposes. When the specific name of an animal is an adjective, it corresponds to the generic name as a Latin adjective would, regardless of the original language. The article on Octopus calls it scientific Latin, not pseudo-latin. I'm not arguing for platypi, just that it seems a bit more positiveness is in the article than is warranted by the sources. The article on octopus relies heavily on dictionaries, but those dictionaries don't particularly give the history of how we created words in English for things we didn't know what to call before the rise of scientific Latin. Thanks for your response, makes me feel like in my academic years again. Richardson mcphillips (talk) 10:37, 29 October 2017 (UTC)
 * I was simply attempting to explain why the word latinisation was used but a Latin pluralization is disregarded, using the text and the lead of the Latinisation of names article. I'm not a linguist nor knowledgable about etymology. If you have access to different sources that you believe are more appropriate then, by all means, be bold. – Rhinopias (talk) 20:41, 29 October 2017 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 23 December 2017
Change

Modern platypus young have three teeth in each of the maxillae (one premolar and two molars) and dentaries (three molars), which they lose before or just after leaving the breeding burrow;

to

Modern young platypus have three teeth in each of the maxillae (one premolar and two molars) and dentaries (three molars), which they lose before or just after leaving the breeding burrow;

because the wording is incorrect. Sarranzolmos (talk) 20:31, 23 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: Wording is correct. 'Modern platypus young' is correct, and it conveys the same idea as what your suggesting here. Upsidedown Keyboard (talk) 02:34, 24 December 2017 (UTC)

March 2018
Change "AMH gene" to "AMH gene" per WP:SOB. 198.84.253.202 (talk) 03:41, 7 March 2018 (UTC)
 * Yes check.svg Done  JTP (talk • contribs) 05:34, 7 March 2018 (UTC)

Ancestry of venom in mammals
In the "venom" section, here is this line: Similar spurs are found on many archaic mammal groups, indicating that this is an ancient characteristic for mammals as a whole, and not exclusive to the platypus or other monotremes.[33]

I think the writing is much more definitive than it should be, especially in the light of this paper : "Tracing Monotreme Venom Evolution in the Genomics Era" https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.inee.bib.cnrs.fr/pmc/articles/PMC4014732/ .

Basically more data is needed. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bastienbou (talk • contribs) 13:03, 26 March 2018 (UTC)

Inconsistent (or unclear) fossil dating
Under the "Evolution" section (emphasis mine):

The oldest discovered fossil of the modern platypus dates back to about 100,000 years ago, during the Quaternary period. The extinct monotremes Teinolophos and Steropodon were once thought to be closely related to the modern platypus,[67] but are now considered more basal taxa.[71] The fossilised Steropodon was discovered in New South Wales and is composed of an opalised lower jawbone with three molar teeth (whereas the adult contemporary platypus is toothless). The molar teeth were initially thought to be tribosphenic, which would have supported a variation of Gregory's theory, but later research has suggested, while they have three cusps, they evolved under a separate process.[72] The fossil is thought to be about 110 million years old, making it the oldest mammal fossil found in Australia. Unlike the modern platypus (and echidnas), Teinolophos lacked a beak.[71]

It seems like this paragraph is talking about only one fossil (the one referenced in the first sentence), but gives two wildly different estimates of its age. If the paragraph is referring to two fossils (one of a modern platypus and one of a Steropodon) it's unclear that they are distinct; "The fossilised Steropodon was discovered in..." seems to continue the discussion of the first fossil.

I think there's a need for a couple changes:


 * In the case that it's one fossil, the dates should be fixed. In the case that there are two fossils, a distinction should be made (e.g., changing "The fossilised Steropodon was..." to "A fossilised Steropodon was...", or similar).
 * There should be citations for the fossil age claims (which would enable a reader to answer this question themselves, if they were to notice the discrepancy)

--Kjleitz (talk) 15:41, 2 June 2018 (UTC)

Meroblastic
Someone please edit the text presenting merobladtic division, because it reads as if there's some special commonality between platypuses and birds, whereas in fact it's the Theria who are special by having acquired holoblastic division, and even then it's no big deal since it has simply to do with the fact that they don't lay eggs.37.189.154.218 (talk) 14:08, 29 November 2018 (UTC)
 * I clarified it somewhat, I hope . -- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 14:30, 29 November 2018 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 06:09, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
 * Platypus.jpg

Editing
"Platypus has been listed as a level-4 vital article in Biology. If you can improve it, please do." That's rather difficult to do when the article appears to have been edit-protected.... :(

This sentence needs correcting: "One of the X chromosomes of the platypus have been found to have great homology to the bird Z chromosome." 'One has', not 'one have'.

71.235.184.247 (talk) 16:45, 24 June 2019 (UTC)


 * Yes check.svg Done, thanks. Adrian J. Hunter(talk•contribs) 23:33, 24 June 2019 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 29 December 2019
as of november there is now a pair of platypuses in the san diego zoo safari park. the page currently states there are no platypuses outside of australia. 96.255.69.234 (talk) 02:38, 29 December 2019 (UTC)
 * ✅ : "The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is currently the only zoo outside Australia to house platypuses." – Thjarkur (talk) 15:34, 29 December 2019 (UTC)

Platypus, new cultuual reference
The platypus makes an appearance in the novel 'The Nutmeg of Consolation,' one of the series of 20 international best-selling historical novels of the Napoleonic era by Patrick O'Brien, featuring Captain Jack Aubrey of the Royal Navy and his friend, the naval surgeon, spy and naturalist Stephen Maturin. In the novel, Stephen is poisoned by a platypus and his friends fear he is mortally hurt. He recovers. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Walkermartin (talk • contribs) 11:31, 11 May 2020 (UTC)

Addition to Cultural references
The logo of Paradox Interactive is the skeleton of a platypus. Ajax Copperwater (talk) 09:05, 28 May 2020 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 28 July 2020
In the Reproduction section, the description of the female platypus' nesting burrow is not clear enough. I read this paper (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324911013_The_platypus_nest_Burrow_structure_and_nesting_behaviour_in_captivity) and would like to use it to give a better description. There are some diagrams of burrows in the paper that I would like to use, since the article is freely accessible, but I am not unsure if they can be included since they are not my own work. Here is my suggested description. The text is taken mostly word for word from the link provided above. I have left the citations from the original text

Females platypuses will generally construct a new burrow each season. While nesting burrows vary in shape from year to year, some features are generally present: narrow tunnels that lead to a larger nesting chamber, pugs, dead ends and multiple entrances that lead to the surface. Nesting burrows are on average 7.3 m long, but some cup to 30.5 m long have been recorded. During the construction of the burrow, no soil mound is produced around the burrow entrance, suggesting that no soil is removed. Instead, soil is firmly compacted into the structure using the body and tail as the platypus moves backwards and forwards through the tunnels. Balls of compacted clay soil can be found intermittently throughout burrows in heavier clay-based soils where compaction is difficult. These balls allow excess soil to be rolled out of the burrow. Females will plug up sections of tunnels by blocking them with backfilled soil, creating what has been termed a ‘pug’ (from the verb used in mining meaning ‘to fill with clay’) by Burrell in 1927.

Many of the features that are incorporated into the complex nesting burrow appear to have important functions for safety and security. Pugging the burrow maintains heat and humidity. High humidity prevents desiccation of the eggs, which have been observed to become dented within a few minutes of exposure to external air. It also prevents the dehydration of the early neonates, which are very small and underdeveloped. It is important for platypuses to keep nesting burrows at a stable temperature as they do not have a pouch like echidnas and marsupials do to provide the correct environment for their young. Blocking the burrow with pugs is also likely to prevent the nest from flooding if the water level rises outside. Pugging likely provides additional protection from external threats such as predators or other platypus trying to use the burrow, as the intruder is under the illusion that they have reached the end of the burrow. Finally, pugs may also provide internal security to keep mobile offspring from prematurely leaving the safety of the burrow. Another feature sometimes present, multiple entrances, may provide additional security for escape from predators. The construction of narrow tunnels by females may have evolved to exclude larger males. During the 2008 platypus lactation period at Healesville Sanctuary, a male platypus made multiple attempts to enter a nesting burrow, before becoming partially stuck at the entrance. When the female returned to the nest from feeding, she became agitated and started reshaping the entrance immediately after the male left. In this case, it was likely the male’s larger body size and the female’s construction of a small tunnel that prevented the male from gaining access.

Once the burrow is constructed, female platypuses collect wet plant material from the surface of the water with their bill, then pass it under their body to the underside of their tails, which they curl downwards and forwards into a hook. This material is then carried back to their burrow. Specific nesting materials are influenced by what is available in the immediate environment of the female when she is collecting them. Grasses are often used, especially strands of Lomandra longifolia and of Poa ensiformis. The grasses and rush leaves are then folded and wrapped around each other in a spherical pattern to form a nest. The moisture from the wet plant matter is necessary for maintaining the correct humidity in the nest to protect eggs and neonates from desiccation.

During the first seven days of incubation, the female does not feed. Afterwards, the female feeds for less than 2 h a day compared with normal nightly foraging bouts of 8–12 h. Platypuses require a large food intake and consume up to 30% of their body weight in food matter daily. These breeding activities thus impose large energetic costs on female platypuses, likely requiring them to rely on their body fat stores for energy during incubation and early lactation. Viviane Carstairs (talk) 17:57, 28 July 2020 (UTC)

There's two problems here, both related to copyright. This article is published in the Australian Journal of Zoology, which follows CSIRO copyright guidelines - available here. There is no provision made for the kind of license that is required to directly use either text or images on Wikipedia, since the most open variant they offer is a non-commercial, non-derivative license for Open Access articles (WP requires a license that allows both derivative and commercial re-use), and the article isn't even Open Access. So the images can't be used. As for the text, it would have to reformulated to the extent that it no longer is a copyright violation of the original. The suggested way to do that is, in effect, to read the material and then restate it in your own words, which can be a fair amount of work. - Apart from these two issues, the content itself would certainly be a welcome and authoritative addition to the article. So if you feel you want to go to the effort of re-writing the part about burrow specifics, I'm sure they could be integrated. Cheers -- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 18:13, 28 July 2020 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 10 December 2020
85.31.141.230 (talk) 12:21, 10 December 2020 (UTC)
 * Note: Removed copy-pasted article body.
 * Red question icon with gradient background.svg Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. ◢  Ganbaruby!   (Say hi!) 12:35, 10 December 2020 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 22 March 2021
As of 2020, the platypus is a legally protected species in all states where it occurs, but it only listed as an endangered species in South Australia.

Replace it with is, or it is. WereJesus (talk) 16:02, 22 March 2021 (UTC)
 * ✅ Sorted, thanks.-- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 16:33, 22 March 2021 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 25 April 2021
The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic, hairy bird endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. The platypus is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species appear in the fossil record.

I refuse to believe that it is a mammal. 172.58.19.164 (talk) 06:24, 25 April 2021 (UTC)
 * Unclear what change you wish to make. Please be more clear, and provide reliable sources. CMD (talk) 06:35, 25 April 2021 (UTC)

Fix typo/misspelling of "defence" to "defense".
 * That's the correct spelling in Australian English. Nyttend backup (talk) 21:36, 3 July 2021 (UTC)

Echidna distribution
Quoting the introduction:"Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young; they are all native to Australia."Is this accurate? Obviously the Short-beaked echidna is native to Australia, but the others? Distribution maps at Western long-beaked echidna, Eastern long-beaked echidna, and Sir David's long-beaked echidna all show only New Guinea. The "western" article mentions that this species may have been found in the Kimberley in the 1930s, but the others don't mention Australia one bit. With this in mind, should "Australia" be changed to "Australasia" in the sentence I quoted? Nyttend backup (talk) 21:36, 3 July 2021 (UTC)

can they kill you
can they kill you — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.51.220.29 (talk) 17:29, 2 December 2021 (UTC)
 * The article explains: "Although powerful enough to kill smaller animals such as dogs, the venom is not lethal to humans, but the pain is so excruciating that the victim may be incapacitated." Schazjmd   (talk)  17:35, 2 December 2021 (UTC)

New platypus species
Riversleigh platypus is a new species of platypus. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Zachbarbo (talk • contribs)


 * This is not the only extinct species, and it is not even from the same genus. The name "Platypus" still primarily refers to the recent species. --Jens Lallensack (talk) 15:23, 14 January 2022 (UTC)


 * "Platypus" is the common name for this species across hundreds of reliable sources. "Duck-billed platypus" is an alternative name that is very rarely used these days. Please stop edit-warring, . Laterthanyouthink (talk) 22:27, 14 January 2022 (UTC)

Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment
This article is or was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Tnguy689.

Above undated message substituted from Template:Dashboard.wikiedu.org assignment by PrimeBOT (talk) 06:46, 17 January 2022 (UTC)

aren't babies puggles?
Baby echidna are called puggles, and I thought the term was also used for baby platypuses... Tamtrible (talk) 07:52, 13 March 2022 (UTC)
 * That is actually really hard to source. I remember looking into the issue some time back; couldn't come up with a authoritative source that clearly stated so :/ -- Elmidae (talk · contribs) 08:10, 13 March 2022 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 7 April 2022
Trentdecarlfreeman (talk) 12:38, 7 April 2022 (UTC) Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes. It is one of the few mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Like other monotremes, it senses prey through electrolocation. It is one of the few species of venomous mammals, as the male platypus (platycock) has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a [[Platypus
 * Red question icon with gradient background.svg Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 12:54, 7 April 2022 (UTC)

A juvenile is known as a puggle, A female is referred to as a platypus, and the male is referred to as a platycok. Like the male kangaroo is referred to as a boomer. A research paper published in 2014 and a paper waiting to be published about the breeding patterns of the platypus and platycok. Trentdecarlfreeman (talk) 15:46, 7 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Source? I cannot find any reputable mention of "platycok", so frankly, I suspect you're trying to create a hoax. Schazjmd   (talk)  15:54, 7 April 2022 (UTC)

Venomous mammal
I thought it might be interesting to add a link to the 'See Also' section, but do not know how to do that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venomous_mammal Jokem (talk) 04:06, 10 February 2022 (UTC)


 * Added. -- Roundish   ⋆  t c) 23:32, 25 May 2022 (UTC)

Cultural Reference?
Paradox Interactive use a platpus skeleton/fossil as their logotype. I'm not sure if it's relevant enough for inclusion, so I'm just dropping the info here. 109.228.176.49 (talk) 21:02, 14 September 2022 (UTC)

Second paragraph change?
Hey!

The second paragraph begins thus:

"Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young."

I'd either drop the "instead of giving birth to live young" or add at the end "like most extant mammals".

Why?

Well: the sentence, as it stands, presupposes that mammals "have" to give birth to live young. Millions and millions of extinct egg-laying mammalian species would beg to differ. While I am fully aware of the fact that both almost all extant mammals give birth to live young and that most people aren't aware of any egg-laying mammals, the sentence I'm criticizing is factually problematic. As I said … egg-laying is as mammalian as giving birth to live young who are extremely precocial (antelopes), who are extremely altricial (humans) and who are in essence still a fetus (kangaroos). For that reason, please snip the beginning of the second paragraph by a bit or amend it.

Thank you and take care! 193.175.5.176 (talk) 16:47, 16 October 2022 (UTC)

Diet
I suggest that someone should write about The platypuses diet 193.17.72.228 (talk) 07:31, 7 December 2022 (UTC)
 * There is a sub-section on its diet, under Distribution, ecology, and behaviour. HiLo48 (talk) 08:10, 7 December 2022 (UTC)

Some studies on morphology
Hello, in my free time, i like to search for weights studies of mammals. I currently have weight studies of about 2300 species and about 9000 entries that I oversee thoroughly.

Here are some on this animal, that might or might not be in the article (but i'm thinking not !) :


 * Connolly, J. H., & Obendorf, D. L. (1998). Distribution, captures and physical characteristics of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in Tasmania. Australian Mammalogy, 20(2), 231-237.


 * Bethge, P., Munks, S., Otley, H., & Nicol, S. (2009). Activity patterns and sharing of time and space of platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, in a subalpine Tasmanian lake. Journal of Mammalogy, 90(6), 1350-1356.


 * Connolly, J. H., Claridge, T., Cordell, S. M., Nielsen, S., & Dutton, G. J. (2015). Distribution and characteristics of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the Murrumbidgee catchment. Australian Mammalogy, 38(1), 58-67.

Just wanted to help a bit Gimly24 (talk) 13:19, 25 January 2023 (UTC)

Cultural references
With the renewal of Phineas and Ferb for additional episodes, would removing the original end year of 2015 from its paragraph be appropriate? The HenBasket (talk) 23:44, 18 May 2023 (UTC)
 * We could mention that two more seasons were ordered in/as of 2023.--Mr Fink (talk) 01:14, 19 May 2023 (UTC)
 * While mentioning the series has been renewed might be applicable in other articles, I get the feeling that since the focus of the paragraph is on Perry and not the production history of the series, only editing the end date would be sufficient The HenBasket (talk) 22:21, 22 May 2023 (UTC)
 * I'd rather just remove the years altogether, or at least say something like "first released in 2007". -B RAINULATOR 9 (TALK) 20:07, 11 June 2023 (UTC)

White platypus
Very interesting news media article for review and consideration:

Rare white platypus spotted in northern NSW: ‘I didn’t think anyone would believe me’ https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/02/rare-white-platypus-spotted-in-nsw-australia 100.16.0.188 (talk) 16:57, 2 November 2023 (UTC)

Show reference
After it says that a platypus is a egg-laying mammal, it should have, in parentheses, "mammal of action" as a reference to the Disney TV show, Phineas and Ferb. Pixel-but-someone-stole-my-name (talk) 17:21, 4 January 2024 (UTC)


 * No, it should not. That is not encyclopedic. - UtherSRG (talk) 17:32, 4 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Fair nuff Pixel-but-someone-stole-my-name (talk) 16:28, 5 January 2024 (UTC)