7-3_I-search_Alan

= Evolution's Mistake = by Alan@bsge [|Play the Platypus Movie]

**Introduction**
If you chop off a duck's bill and feet, rip the legs, arms,head and tail off an otter, and slice a beaver's tail off and you put it all together, you'll get a platypus! I've always loved platypuses since my teacher in the 2nd grade introduced me to a book on them. I've done projects, written papers, and even sculpted the platypus. Then I realized, I knew only the most obvious facts about the platypus. It seems that platypuses are one of 5 species of mammals that can lay eggs! On top of all this, the male platypus has a poisonous claw on its hind leg. I love them so much that I want to know more. Books and projects aren't enough... I know! I'll write an I-search paper about it!

**Search**
The platypus is a very strange animal. I've looked high and low for information on them, but sadly, the only complete article on platypuses is on Wikipedia. So most of my info came from there. But there was also a book I found in the library that seemed interesting. But on with the project: I want to know about the physical charecteristics of the platypus, so I will examine it from head to tail. Let's start with the head. The platypus' mouth is not indeed a mouth but more of a bill. Very similar to the duck's bill, the broad bill is rubbery black (or dark brown.) going towards the eyes. The eyes have the ability to close shut and become water/air proof. This is essential when the animal is hunting under-water. The ears are freaky. The external ear is located at the bottom of the jaw, like all mammals. But the inner ear is on the side of the cranium (unlike most mammals). Speaking of the jaw, at the back of the jaw there are 3 large molars. These fall out for most adult platypuses.

If you thought that the head was confusing, wait until I start talking about the abdomen. This part really took me by surprise, partially because it was all new to me. Let's start with our best foot forward. The platypus' foot! The platypus has webbed feet, also like the duck, which allow it to glide across the banks of rivers and lakes. As you go down to the back feet, you start to notice something strange. They are almost exactly the same as the front feet! unless you are looking at the male. They too have webbed feet, but if you look closely, you would find an extra nail.This nail is called a "spur" and it is used to deliver a painful poison.

This "poison" is non-lethal to humans, but it //**is**// to small animals who would end up being prey to the platypus. Once the spur penetrates the skin, the venom enters the blood stream. the limb that was cut starts to go numb, but not numb enough as to not feel the slight burning sensation. This venom is a "defensin-like protein (DLP)" (wikipedia: platypus venom) that comes from a kidney like organ in the back limbs. Called crural glands or alveolar glands, these deliver the poison to the spur and then, to the target.

Another interesting feature of the legs is the fact that they are on the sides of the animal (like most lizards) and not under it like most mammals. Going back to the tail, I noticed some deja-vu. Yes, the tail is an exact replica of a beaver's tail. The tail is used to hold pounds of fat that are used in emergency. On top of the beaver tail, duck bill, and lizard feet, the platypus has ONE LAST COOL FEATURE. Its blackish brown fur is dense enogh to insulate itself to keep warm. This is an extremely necessary ability during the winter.

**Conclusion**
So in conclusion, I have found many interesting things that I did not know, such as the fact that since the platypus is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal, the platypus needs air/water proof eyes and ears to protect itself from water. Also the animal has a duck bill and feet, beaver body and tail, and lizard legs. Its inner ears are normal like that of a mammal, but its outer ear is placed like that of a human. It has thick fur that keeps it warm, and much fat for heat/energy. One thing that dissapointed me was that the only good, complete, full, UP TO DATE article on platypuses was on Wikipedia. I tried other websites, but they were so dull, like Animal Planet. So I only used one. Other than websites, there was one book that proved somewhat useful to me. It was slightly more complete than other non-fiction books.

**Works Cited**
"Platypus." __Wikipedia__. 15 Oct. 2001. Manning Bartlett. 9 Apr. 2008 <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus>.]

Isho, Fady D., Johnathan Wright, Dana Krempels, and Dian DeNapoli. "Wild Animals." __AllExperts__. 18 May 2008. ??? 17 May 2008 <[|http://www.allexperts.com/>.]

Short, Joan, Jack Green, and Bettina Bird. __Playtpus__. Mondo Publishing, 1997. pages1-24.\

Thank you **Fady D. Isho** for the answer to my question!