: a small carnivorous aquatic monotreme mammal (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) of eastern Australia and Tasmania that has a fleshy bill resembling that of a duck, dense fur, webbed feet, and a broad flattened tail
called alsoduck-billed platypus
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Many people first learn about the platypus as a child, including the daughter of Di Wei, a researcher at Beijing Institute and the lead author of a paper published in the journal Science Advances.—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2024 The platypus is famously recognized for its wide range of zoological oddities.—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2024 Other nocturnal mammals such as platypuses and flying squirrels also glow under UV light.—Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 14 Aug. 2024 For instance, monotremes such as the platypus and echidna belong to a unique and ancient class of mammals.—Gat Rauner, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for platypus
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek platypous flat-footed, from platys broad, flat + pous foot — more at place, foot
: a small water-dwelling egg-laying mammal of eastern Australia and Tasmania with a fleshy bill resembling that of a duck, webbed feet, and a broad flattened tail
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