Research Paper On Platypus Communication
Topic: Platypus Communication Mammals have a variety of methods to communicate, but an often forgotten mammal, the platypus must also communicate. The topic I chose to research was platypus communication. Platypus must be able to communicate within their environment and with each other/predators. The most well-known form of communication is apparently vocalizations. Platypus can actually vocalize a growling noise, but there has not been enough conclusive studies done to come to a conclusion as to what these growls mean in platypus. But, in a recent video of a platypus in captivity, they actually are able to produce a type of squeaky purring noise when excited and feeling affectionate. This is fascinating, but there definitely needs to be
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They have a keen sense of olfaction (not going to lie, didn’t know the word olfaction until I took this class) and can smell pheromones and other scents in their environment. The most fascinating trait of platypus communication however, is their bill. The bill of a platypus actually has little receptors that can sense slight electricity. This allows them to communicate with their environment by sensing electrical currents within the water and leading them to prey. They mainly use this when hunting or when digging along the bottom of their environment. A study was apparently conducted that found the platypus can actually sense if possible food materials like shrimp along the bottom are dead based on the electricity associated with movement for possible prey. This is super cool because there is no way any other mammal does that. It is likely a result of the fact that platypus are an isolated type of mammal and are special and different in many ways. Platypus will use their sense of touch to communicate with others as well. It is dangerous because platypus use the sense of touch for both affection and aggression. While platypus will swim up to and cuddle and snuggle the source of their affection, male platypus, when threatened will use a small little thorny spur on their
They have a keen sense of olfaction (not going to lie, didn’t know the word olfaction until I took this class) and can smell pheromones and other scents in their environment. The most fascinating trait of platypus communication however, is their bill. The bill of a platypus actually has little receptors that can sense slight electricity. This allows them to communicate with their environment by sensing electrical currents within the water and leading them to prey. They mainly use this when hunting or when digging along the bottom of their environment. A study was apparently conducted that found the platypus can actually sense if possible food materials like shrimp along the bottom are dead based on the electricity associated with movement for possible prey. This is super cool because there is no way any other mammal does that. It is likely a result of the fact that platypus are an isolated type of mammal and are special and different in many ways. Platypus will use their sense of touch to communicate with others as well. It is dangerous because platypus use the sense of touch for both affection and aggression. While platypus will swim up to and cuddle and snuggle the source of their affection, male platypus, when threatened will use a small little thorny spur on their