What is the scientific name for a platypus? The platypus scientific name is Ornithorhynchus anatinus.
The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), the duck-billed platypus, is one of the interesting and scientifically important mammals known to man. Limited to Australia and Tasmania, this strange creature has puzzled scientists since its discovery due to some strange characteristics: a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and the ability to lay eggs despite being a mammal.
This article discusses the scientific name of the platypus, its meaning, correct pronunciation, classification, genus, and species. We will also look at extinct species and clarify where the platypus fits into the vast animal kingdom.
Table of Contents
What Is the Scientific Name of the Platypus?
The platypus goes by the scientific name Ornithorhynchus anatinus.
This binomial name is what biologists and researchers use worldwide to avoid confusion with regional or local common names.
Pronunciation of Ornithorhynchus anatinus
- Ornithorhynchus: /or-nith-oh-RING-kus/
- Anatinus: /an-uh-TINE-us/
Meaning of the Platypus Scientific Name
Ornithorhynchus anatinus has a name rooted in ancient languages:
- Ornitho (Greek): means “bird “
- Rhynchos (Greek): means “snout/bill”
- Anatinus (Latin): means “duck-like.”
In other words, it means “bird-snouted duck-like,” quite a fitting description of the platypus!
Platypus Species Name and Genus
The platypus falls under the genus name Ornithorhynchus. As it is the only living member of that genus, it is called monotypic: there is only one living member known to science.
Species currently living
- Species Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus
- Common Name: Duck-billed Platypus
There are no recognized subspecies for the living platypus. Therefore, it is the only member left alive in the family Ornithorhynchidae.
Extinct Platypus Species and Fossil Records
While one species of platypus is alive today, scientists have discovered fossils of their relatives that have since become extinct.
Notable extinct platypus species
1. Obdurodon insignis:
- South Australian state.
- Lived 5-15 million years ago.
- Functional teeth, unlike modern platypuses.
2. Obdurodon dicksoni:
- Miocene age.
- Fossils are found in Queensland.
- Larger and stockier than our present-day platypus.
3. Obdurodon tharalkooschild:
- Described in 2013.
- An estimate of over one meter long.
- One of the largest of the discovered platypus species.
These extinct forms belonged to the genus Obdurodon, which was closely allied with Ornithorhynchus.
Biological Classification of the Platypus
| Classification Level | Scientific Term |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Monotremata |
| Family | Ornithorhynchidae |
| Genus | Ornithorhynchus |
| Species | anatinus |
What is a monotreme?
Monotremes are a small group of mammals that lay eggs rather than give birth to live young. The only extant monotremes are:
- Platypus
- Four species of echidna (spiny anteater)
Physical Characteristics of the Platypus
Platypuses have the magic of showing characteristics of three different classes of animals: birds, reptiles, and mammals.
- Duck-like bill with electroreception
- Webbed feet for swimming
- Fur-covered body for insulation
- Lays eggs instead of giving birth to live offspring
- Nipples are absent – milk is secreted through the skin
- Venomous spur on hind legs (males only)
These characteristics declare the platypus an anomaly and have some role in mammalian evolution.
Habitat and Distribution of the Platypus
Platypuses are found in eastern Australia, where they are:
- Queensland
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Tasmania
They prefer freshwater habitats, including rivers, streams, and lakes. Clean water and unbothered banks are essential for burrowing and nesting.
Behavior and Diet of Duck-Billed Platypus
- Nocturnal and semi-aquatic
- Excellent swimmers
Diet includes:
- Insect larvae
- Worms
- Freshwater shrimp and crustaceans
- Uses electrolocation to detect prey in muddy water
Importance of the Platypus Scientific Name
The scientific name of the duck billed platypus is important in biology and taxonomy.
Why Scientific Naming Matters
- Avoid local name confusion.
- Specifically, allow classification of species by scientists
- Highlight the unique characteristics of the animal
- Crucial for reference in evolutionary classification
European scientists first encountered the platypus and thought it was a hoax: it seemed to belong to part of one animal, part to another, and part to a third. The very name Ornithorhynchus anatinus has its surprising, but always natural, connotation.
Interesting facts about Platypuses
- The platypus stands among only five mammals to lay eggs.
- It can use electroreceptors found on its bill to sense electric fields and, in turn, locate prey underwater.
- Platypuses have no stomach, so food goes directly from the esophagus to the intestines.
- A male platypus sports venomous spurs on its hind legs.
- It secretes milk through pores in the skin, not by nipples.
- The front feet are webbed for swimming, and the back feet help with steering.
- The female platypus possesses two ovaries, but only one is the left one.
- Platypus fur glows blue-green in ultraviolet light.
- It is nocturnal and lives alone in burrows along freshwater banks.
