10 Amazing Platypus Facts for Kids
- jonathanmtparry
- Feb 1
- 2 min read
Looking for fun platypus facts for kids? You’re in the right place! The platypus is one of the world’s most unique animals. Found in Australia, it seems almost magical, perfect for teaching about the natural world and sparking young imaginations.
As a children’s author, my own fascination with the platypus began when I was ten years old. I wrote my very first story about this extraordinary animal as a school project and gifted it to my little sister. That childhood curiosity inspired my picture book, How the Platypus Became, and I hope these facts will inspire your young readers too!
1. The Platypus Lays Eggs
Did you know the platypus is one of only a few mammals that lay eggs? Most mammals give birth to live young, but the platypus is different!
2. A Bill Like a Duck
The platypus has a duck-like bill that can sense tiny electric signals from other animals underwater. This helps it hunt for food even with its eyes, ears, and nose closed!
3. A Tail Like a Beaver
Platypuses have big, flat tails that store fat and help them steer while swimming. Their tail is another reason people often say they look like a mash-up of different animals.
4. Webbed Feet
All four feet are webbed, making platypuses excellent swimmers. Their front feet act like paddles, and their back feet help with steering.
5. Venomous Spurs
Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their hind legs. While the sting isn’t deadly to humans, it can be quite painful!
6. Waterproof Fur
A platypus’s fur is thick and waterproof. This special fur keeps them warm and dry while swimming in cold rivers.
7. The Platypus is Nocturnal
Platypuses are mostly active at night. They spend the day sleeping in their burrows and come out at night to hunt for insects, worms and small crustaceans.
8. Found Only in Australia
Platypuses live in freshwater rivers and lakes in eastern Australia and Tasmania. They are one of Australia’s most iconic native animals.
9. Baby Platypuses are Called Puggles
Baby platypuses are sometimes called “puggles.” When they hatch from eggs, they are tiny, blind and hairless.
10. Platypuses Can Glow in the Dark!
One of the most amazing recent discoveries is that platypuses can glow under ultraviolet light. Their fur shines bright blue-green, a magical feature for a magical animal!
The platypus is a fantastic topic for classroom activities, animal reports and story time. Its unusual features - like laying eggs, glowing fur, and a duck-like bill - make it a favorite in science lessons and children’s books about Australian animals.
Want More Platypus Fun?
If you enjoyed these amazing platypus facts, check out my new children’s picture book, How the Platypus Became. Perfect for ages 4-8, classrooms, and bedtime reading!
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