What Does A Duck Billed Platypus Eat?
A duck billed platypus feeds almost exclusively on the small animals that live on the river bed or lake bed. These include shrimps and other crustaceans, insects, shellfish and worms. The platypus is not a vegetarian; it appears not to eat plants of any kind. It finds its prey by sifting through the mud and slime on the bottom of the river bed with its sensitive bill. It filters the disturbed sediments picking up anything that is edible. Its cheek pouches are a bit like those of a hamster and they contain horny ridges that are used to grind down the tough casings of shellfish and insects before the platypus swallows them. The platypus is well adapted to its amphibious life. The ends of the claws on its forefeet are covered by webbing which the platypus can fold back when on dry ground, leaving the claws free for digging and walking.
