Platypuses are skilled swimmers with a hidden talent—they can hold their breath for up to two minutes! When diving in the rivers of eastern Australia and Tasmania, they close their eyes, ears, and nostrils to keep water out, relying on their bill to hunt. Their lungs store enough oxygen to let them stay underwater while searching for food like insects, larvae, and small fish. They paddle with webbed feet and steer with a flat tail, moving gracefully despite their natural buoyancy.
This breath-holding ability helps them forage for 10 to 12 hours a day, often in murky waters where visibility is low. They can dive up to 30 feet deep, though they usually stay closer to the surface, scooping up prey and storing it in cheek pouches to eat later. Platypuses have a slow metabolism for their size, which helps them conserve oxygen during dives. Their dense fur also traps air bubbles, providing extra insulation and a bit of buoyancy, which they counter by paddling constantly. This underwater skill is a small bite of their aquatic prowess, making them true river experts.
Next time you see a platypus swim, think of its breath-holding talent—it’s a hidden skill that’s amazing. Share this with your friends and come back for more on Platypusfacts!
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