European platypus (SciiFii)

The European platypus (Rheobatrachocetus europeansis) is a species of primitive whale of the family Remingtonocetidae, despite its name, most closely related to Kutchicetus, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands across Europe to help boost biodiversity. An adult European platypus can reach a body length of between 66 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42 inches) and weigh between 5.0 and 14 kilograms (11.0 and 30.9 lbs). The European platypus is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The European platypus has an extremely adapted sense of touch, such as thickened whiskers on its broad snout, to find invertebrate prey, similarly to the true platypuses. The European platypus is an excellent swimmer and spends much of its time in the water foraging for food. It has a very characteristic swimming style and no external ears. Uniquely among mammals, it propels itself when swimming by an alternate rowing motion of the front feet; although all four feet of the European platypus are webbed, the hind feet (which are held against the body) do not assist in propulsion, but are used for steering in combination with the tail. When not in the water, the European platypus retires to a short, straight resting burrow of oval cross-section, nearly always in the riverbank not far above water level, and often hidden under a protective tangle of roots. The average sleep time of a European platypus is sometimes as long as 14 hours per day, possibly because it eats crustaceans, which provide a high level of calories. European platypuses are some of the only mammals (apart from monotremes and at least one species of dolphin) known to have a sense of electroreception: they locate their prey in part by detecting electric fields generated by muscular contractions. The European platypus's electroreception is one of the most sensitive of any mammal with electroreception. The European platypus is a carnivore: it feeds primarily on annelid worms, insect larvae, freshwater shrimp, and freshwater crayfish that it digs out of the riverbed with its snout or catches while swimming. It uses cheek-pouches to carry prey to the surface, where it is eaten. The European platypus needs to eat about 20% of its own weight each day, which requires it to spend an average of 12 hours daily looking for food. The European platypus is generally regarded as nocturnal and crepuscular, but individuals are also active during the day, particularly when the sky is overcast. Its habitat bridges rivers and other freshwater environments for both a food supply of prey species, and banks where it can dig resting and nesting burrows. It may have a range of up to 7 km (4.3 mi), with a male's home range overlapping those of three or four females. European platypus pairs are monogamous. The estrous cycle of females lasts 28 to 30 days with estrus lasting between one and 13 days. Usually, mating takes place in the water. Gestation lasts 62 to 86 days. Interval between births is at least eight months. About two weeks before parturition, both female and male engage in building a nest. They collect grass, hay or straw and carry this material into the breeding chamber. Between one and seven pups are born in a litter. Pups are born with closed eyes, which open in the fifth week. Newborn pups weigh between 45.6 and 62.5 grams (1.61 and 2.20 oz) and reach a weight of 410–988 grams (14.5–34.9 oz) after 60 days. They start exploring the environs of the breeding den at the age of ten weeks. At about three months, they enter and paddle in shallow water under the guidance of the mother. They become independent at the age of four to five months. The conservation status of the European platypus is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the European platypus's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.