The duck-billed platypus, or Ornithorhynchus anatinus, is a mammal. Native to Australia, the platypus lives on land and in water and can live for up to 17 years. It can grow to 20 inches and weigh five pounds. Platypus' lay eggs, which is odd for a mammal, who usually give live birth. Males and females have claws and spurs at the end of their webbed hands. Only the males have DPLs. DPLs are defensin-like proteins, that are unique to Platypus'. They create venom to deter predators. The platypus' is well known for being the "outcast" of the mammals because of their many non-mammal characteristics.
Cardiovascular SystemThe Platypus has a simple vertebrates cardiovascular system. Arteries spread oxygenated blood to the platypus' body and veins bring it back to the heart to be oxygenated by the lungs. Platypus' also breath in oxygen through its mouth and releases carbon dioxide as waste. This constant flow of oxygen throughout the body is dependent on the heart and the arteries/ veins. Blood is always moving in and out of the heart to spread nutrients
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