Stats

Lifespan

6-14 yrs

Size

Small

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Nocturnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Freshwater wetland

Range

Australia

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Venom

Status

Near Threatened

About

A semi-aquatic Australian monotreme with a duck-like bill, beaver-like tail, and webbed feet. Males carry venomous spurs on their hind legs, making it one of the few venomous mammals.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn

   A live-born newborn nurses on its mother's milk and depends on her for warmth and protection.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A weaned juvenile begins eating solid food and learning from its parents or group.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Monotremata

Family

Ornithorhynchidae

Genus

Ornithorhynchus

Species

Ornithorhynchus anatinus