Report Writing from 2C
The children in 2C have been writing factual reports about an unusual Australian mammal - the Platypus!
The platypus is a special mammal called a monotreme.
The platypus has 4 feet. It has 2 fore feet and 2 hind legs. It has a duck like bill for searching for food.
It lives in a burrow in Eastern Australia and Tasmania.
The platypus eats a variety of bugs. It also eats frogs and moss.
The platypus moves by swimming. It swims by paddling and gliding through the water. It also digs with its claws. The platypus gurgles and bubbles when it swims. It squeaks when enemies are near.
The mother mates under water. She lays 1 or 2 eggs. She has her babies normally between November to July. The babies grow an egg tooth when they are born and tear the egg open. The mother has 2 milk patches that the babies suck milk from. When the baby platypus is 3 months old, it searches for its own food.
By Mike in 2C
This painting was done by another student in 2C.
The Platypus by Matilda.
The platypus is a special mammal called a Monotreme.
It has a duck like bill used for pushing out dirt when digging a burrow. It has small eyes with ear slots behind.
The platypus lives in Eastern Australia from Cooktown in Queensland to Tasmania. It also likes to live in fresh water lakes, rivers, streams and creeks.
The platypus likes to eat fresh water shrimps, worms and insects.
It swims with its fore feet and its hind feet are for steering and stopping. It likes to glide. It makes bubble blowing sounds. It growls when fighting.
The mothers and fathers mate between Nov and July. The female incubates her two soft leathery eggs. The babies use a special cutting tooth to open the egg.
She feeds her babies on milk patches on her belly. The adult has no teeth, it has grinding plates.
The platypus is a very unique mammal.
The platypus nearly died out because they were killing them for their skin, so they had to protect them. They still may die out because of their predators.
December 2000