The most outstanding feature of the platypus's small head is the bill, which is about 6 cm (2.4 in: click here for a metric conversion calculator if you're not familiar with the metric system) long and 5 cm wide. The head is joined directly to the body without a neck. The platypus' eyes are small, and it has no ears on the outside.

An average male platypus weighs around 1,700 grams in a range from 1,00 to 2,400 g, whilst the average females are 900g in a range from 700 to 1,600 g. The platypus' weight tends to fluctuate seasonally. The total length on average of male platypus is 500mm in a range from 450 to 600mm, while females are 430 mm in a range from 390 to 550mm.

The call of the platypus is a low growl, and has been said sounds like a puppy growling.


back | next