Barts Keynote

The platypus is a small, furry brown mammal native to Eastern Australia and Tasmania. It has a duck-like bill, webbed feet for swimming, and a beaver-like tail. Male platypuses have ankle spurs that produce a poison powerful enough to kill dogs or cause extreme pain to humans, while females lose their spurs after maturity. Platypuses are semi-aquatic and can be found living in burrows near freshwater streams and lakes. They are the only known mammal that uses electrolocation to find prey like insect larvae and shrimp. Platypuses are also one of the few mammals that lay eggs, and the female's skin produces milk to feed the babies.