The Duck-billed Platypus, is a primitive Australian mammal (a monotreme) that lays eggs. 
After an egg hatches, the tiny baby drinks its mother's milk, which comes from tiny openings 
in the mother's belly. 
They have a life span of 10-17 years. 
Platypus live in burrows and spend much of their time in freshwater ponds and streams. 

The Duck-billed Platypus is about the size of a pet cat. 
It has thick, waterproof fur all over its body (except for the feet and bill). 
The legs sprawl out to the side of the body, giving it a lizard-like walk. 
Males have a poisoned spike on their ankles which the platypus can use to kill small 
animals in self-defense. 

This carnivore (meat-eater) uses its bill to strain its tiny prey, like crayfish, worms, 
insects,snails, and shrimp from muddy water. 
It can store food in cheek pouches while it is hunting underwater. 

The Platypus has a bill that resembles a duck's bill but is actually an elongated snout 
covered with soft, moist, leathery skin and sensitive nerve endings. 

The body of the platypus is 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) long; the flattened tail 
measures 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) in length. The feet are webbed. 
The body and tail are covered with a thick, soft, woolly layer of fur, from which long, 
flat hairs protrude. 
The platypus has three layers of fur: 
1. an inside layer to trap air 
and keep the animal warm 
2. a middle layer which works like a wet suit 
3. an outer layer to feel if it is close to objects 
A Platypus grows to a maximum weight of 1 to 2.4 kg (2.2 to 5.3 lb). 
The Platypus is known to live for at least 12 years in the wild.

They are a very shy animal rarely seen in the wild.