How big does a Platypus get? Here is an overview over the average adult age:
A grown Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) reaches an average size of 41.9 cm (1′ 5″).
When born, they have an average size of 0 cm (0′ 0″). Usually, they reach an age of 22 years. A full-grown exemplary reaches roughly 1.48 kg (3.27 lbs). A Platypus has 2 babies at once. The Platypus (genus: Ornithorhynchus) is a member of the family Ornithorhynchidae.
As a reference: Humans reach an average body size of 1.65m (5′ 5″) while carrying 62 kg (137 lbs). A human woman is pregnant for 280 days (40 weeks) and on average become 75 years old.
The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. The platypus is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species appear in the fossil record.Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Like other monotremes it senses prey through electrolocation. It is one of the few species of venomous mammals, as the male platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans.The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, and the first scientists to examine a preserved platypus body (in 1799) judged it a fake, made of several animals sewn together.The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology, and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia. It has appeared as a mascot at national events and features on the reverse of the Australian twenty-cent coin, and the platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.Until the early 20th century humans hunted the platypus for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Although captive-breeding programs have had only limited success, and the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not under any immediate threat.
Animals with the same size as a Platypus
Not that size really matters, but it makes things comparable. So here are a couple of animals that are as big as Platypus:
- African savanna hare with a size of 45 cm (1′ 6″)
- Cape hare with a size of 42.6 cm (1′ 5″)
- Red-bellied titi with a size of 35.8 cm (1′ 3″)
- Sumatran striped rabbit with a size of 37.7 cm (1′ 3″)
- Common kusimanse with a size of 33.9 cm (1′ 2″)
- Crested mona monkey with a size of 45.9 cm (1′ 7″)
- Western quoll with a size of 34.9 cm (1′ 2″)
- Rock hyrax with a size of 46.7 cm (1′ 7″)
- Striped skunk with a size of 40 cm (1′ 4″)
- Black capuchin with a size of 43.5 cm (1′ 6″)
Animals with the same litter size as a Platypus
Here is a list of animals that have the same number of babies per litter (2) as a Platypus:
- Tayra
- Plantain squirrel
- Merriam’s kangaroo rat
- Blanford’s rat
- Southern spiny pocket mouse
- Indian hedgehog
- Dobson’s shrew tenrec
- Kodkod
- Mediterranean pine vole
- Yellow-faced pocket gopher
Animals with the same life expectancy as a Platypus
Completely different animals, but becoming as old as a Platypus:
- Commerson’s dolphin with an average maximal age of 18 years
- Lesser spot-nosed monkey with an average maximal age of 19 years
- South American sea lion with an average maximal age of 24.75 years
- Proboscis monkey with an average maximal age of 21 years
- Brown-mantled tamarin with an average maximal age of 24.5 years
- Raccoon with an average maximal age of 20.83 years
- Plains zebra with an average maximal age of 20 years
- Cape porcupine with an average maximal age of 20 years
- Siberian ibex with an average maximal age of 22.25 years
- Buru babirusa with an average maximal age of 24 years
Animals with the same weight as a Platypus
As a comparison, here are some other animals that weight as much as the Ornithorhynchus anatinus:
- Black giant squirrel with a weight of 1.61 kilos (3.55 lbs)
- Nasuella olivacea with a weight of 1.34 kilos (2.95 lbs)
- Monjon with a weight of 1.26 kilos (2.78 lbs)
- Common genet with a weight of 1.77 kilos (3.9 lbs)
- Eastern common cuscus with a weight of 1.75 kilos (3.86 lbs)
- Red giant flying squirrel with a weight of 1.54 kilos (3.4 lbs)
- Gambian pouched rat with a weight of 1.27 kilos (2.8 lbs)
- Aquatic genet with a weight of 1.65 kilos (3.64 lbs)
- Hodgson’s giant flying squirrel with a weight of 1.48 kilos (3.26 lbs)
- Atlantic titi with a weight of 1.39 kilos (3.06 lbs)