| Endangered Species: Platypus |
Christiansburg Elementary
Submitted by: Jazz, Grade 5th
Christiansburg, Virginia,U.S.A
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| Duckbill Platypus |
Why Study This Topic?
I want to find out about platypusbabies.
I need to find out more about the family of the platypus. I also need more
information about food it eats
and its habitat. I need more information about how it swims.
I want to
know how they live too. I need information about its bodyfeatures.
I also
need to know why its endargered. I need information such as:Does
it
live in lakes or oceans? I need information about its shelterand
space.
I need information about its enemies. In general, I need morehistory
about the platypus.
I need this information on the platypus to writea
good report. I am
interested in the platypus, because it lives in Australia. I like
to do reports
on animals. I need to know more about the prey of the platypus.
I need
to find more material on its behavior. I need to know whyit
lives in Australia. I need to know about pollution there. I think
I could find this information on the Internet.
What Was Already Known
Before I searched, I knew somethingsabout
the platypus's background.
I didn't know much about the platypus, and I need to know more.
I knew the platypus lived in Australia. I knew about its bodyfeatures.
I knew the platypus lives in water. I knew that it swims well. Ialso
knew it has
small eyes. I knew that platypus's have webbed feet too.
I knew a little bit about its prey and endangerment.
I also knew about its babies,but I didn't know enough about them. For example,
I didn't know much about their weight. I hardly knewanything about
this animal, so I don't have informaton yet.
I knew the platypus is like a duck, because ofits
duck bill. That's why it is called the Duck-billed platypus.
Search for Information
I searched the Internet mostof
the time for my animal. I found
pictures and information. I also looked at the library. I
went to nature .com
on the Internet. I found some more information in an encyclopedia.
I found a lot of information there. I found most picturesand
information on the Internet. I also found a map on the Internet.
I had fun finding this research on the platypus.
Description of Plant or Animal
The size of the platypus is30
to 45 centimeters long. Its tail
measures 10 to15 centimeters long. The male is about 50 centimeterslong.
Females are smaller, about 43 centimeters long. The shapeof
the platypus
is unusual. Its tail is oval. It is good for underwaterswimming.
If the tail
is plump, it is a sign that the platypus is in good condition. Next
is its
ears and eyes.The ears and eyes are sometimes sensitive above water.
The eyes are small. Next is its bill. The bill has thousandsof
touch-sensitive pores on their rubbery bill. Last is its fur.
Its fur coat is water proof. The fur can help its speed. The color
of the platypus is a brown color. The bill is a brown ora dark orange
too.
Habitat Requirements
The platypus eats mostly crayfish,shimp,snails,larvaeof
water insects,
and worms.It also eats tadpoles,smller fish,frogs,and fish eggs.
Its water is freshwater.
Its water is in streams or lakes.
Next is its shleter.Its shleter is in rivers and lakes.It
mostly lives in water, but sometimes are on land. The platypus swimswell
in water.
Last is its space.Its space is in water.The spaceis
in a large area of a long pool.It can be in slow flowing water.It makesits
burrow for sleeping beside rivers.The platypus doesn't want anyoneto see
it in its space,so its a secretive animal.
Adaptations
The platypus's enemiesare
snakes and large fish and people trying to poach it for its fur.Nowpeople
can't poach it because they are on the endangered list.The platypusis an
egg laying mammal.The body features are a duck like bill.It has ashort
furry tail.Their eyes are small and can see well underwater.The platypusis
a good swimmer because it lives in the water.The platypus also has webbedfeet
for being and swimming in water. The platypus only swims forefoot. They
are covered with thick-brown waterproof fur. The platypus isfound
in Austrlia.
Reasons for Endangerment
The platypus is endangered becauseof
its fur. People are poaching them. There are fewer platypusesin
Australia because of people poaching and pollution in rivers
and lakes. The predators of the platypus are people,largefish,and
snakes. They have lost their habitat, because they livein rivers
and people are polluting the rivers , and they die.
The history of the platypus starts with its body.Theplatypus
is known as the duck-billed platypus, because it has webbed feetand has
a bill like a duck. The platypus also resembles a beaver, becauseits tail
is like a beaver's tail.
The platypus's history comes from a duck anda
beaver.
Restoration Actions
The actions taken by the platypusare
that they are on the endangered list. Now people can not poachthem
because its against the law. Some of the platypuses are in zoos,so
now people can not ever take the platypus and other animals. Peoplehave
been poaching the platypus for some time. Now people are saving themand
putting them on the endangered list. If the person does poach an animal,theywill
be arrested.
What Was Learned
I have learned about the background of theplatypus.The
background or history of the platypus is with its body features.Theproblems
are people poaching them and also polluting. The platypusis reduced
in number,so there are very few of them. Actions takenby the platypus
are that they are on the endangered list. Peoplecan't poach them
or pollute their environment.They will go to jail if theydo.
Conclusions From Research
The research benefits start with its awareness.Theawareness
is its surroundings.The
platypus knows its surroundings. For research I used the encyclopedia.Ilooked
for books,but had no luck. I looked at libraries. To be responsibile
people must not poach them or pollute the rivers were they live. People
now know that the platypus and other animals are on the endangeredlist
and people can't poach them.
The self benefits were that I had a lot of confidencein
the information on the platypus. I didn't have much knowledgeabout
the platypus before I did my research. I liked looking forinformation.
It was a lot of fun. My information that I foundwas from the Internet
and the encylopedia.
Bibliography
http://www.virtualaustralia.com.au/fauna/mammals/platypus.html
http://mag-nify.educ.monash.edu.au/acps_animals97/platy.htm
http://www.greenweb.com.au/melbwater/html/platypus_study.html
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Christiansburg Elementary |
Last updated on January 25, 2000
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