Physiological AdaptationsA major physiological adaptation for the duck-billed platypus is its ability to reduce the blood flow to some parts of the platypus' body. The reduction of blood flow that vital organs stay intact. Another physiological adaptation for the platypus is in its tale. The tail of the platypus not only act as a stabilising and steering rudder, but also as a storage site for fat. When food is scarce the tail of the platypus provides the necessary energy for the certain time period. The kidney of the platypus has also adapted to the rapid disposal of water as there is no water shortage in the fresh water habitat the platypus lives in. However, the kidney efficiently absorbs salt to replace the lack of salt in the platypus' environment. The salt that is absorbed from the kidney is used in many bodily processes. One other physiological adaptions of the duck-billed platypus is the fact that it has blood rich in oxygen. The richness in oxygen is due to the increased amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells. Increase in oxygen allows the platypus to stay under water for longer periods of time, almost 14 minutes.
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Structural Adaptations |
One of the structural adaptations of the duck-billed platypus is its double layer of fur. The first layer has short hairs and dense so that water does not get through into the skin, this layer is known as the under layer. The under layer has fine hairs that traps air acting as an insulator to keep the platypus warm. The second layer gets wet but acts as a water seal waterproofing the coat of the platypus. As the platypus is mostly nocturnal and spends most of its time in the water, it is important that the platypus stays warm. Another structural adaptation for the duck-billed platypus is the bill itself. The bill of a platypus is used as a tool for locating and mechanically digesting food. The platypus also has touch and electro receptors on its bill allowing the platypus to navigate through the water without the use of its eyes or ears.
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Behavioral Adaptations |
The behavioral adaptation for a platypus is the way it sweeps its bill 2-3 times a second, moving through the water and picking up any electrical impulses from other organisms.
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