How do platypus use their senses?
Platypuses use thousands of mechanoreceptors and electroreceptors in their bill skin to hunt prey in murky rivers and streams. Using a side-to-side motion of its head, the platypus gauges the direction and distance of its next meal by collecting, and combining, these flows of sensory information.
Does a platypus have a sixth sense?
The platypus, Ornithorhyncus anatinus, has an electromechanical sensory apparatus in its bill. The sixth sense endowed by its remarkable bill allows the platypus to detect prey in murky waters with its eyes closed. Platypuses use an electrical sixth sense to seek prey.
What does a platypus use its bill for?
The bill of a platypus, sometimes called a duck-billed platypus, has a smooth texture that feels like suede. It is also flexible and rubbery. The skin of the bill holds thousands of receptors that help the platypus navigate underwater and detect movement of potential food, such as shrimp.
Why do platypus have electroreceptors?
touch. They’re useful when the platypus rummages through the streambed with its bill. They also detect mechanical pressure pulses generated by prey moving through water. Using this combination of receptors, the platypus pinpoints and snaps up its prey.
What kind of receptors are in the bill of the platypus?
6. As well as electroreceptors, the skin of the bill contained three kinds of mechanoreceptors: slow‐adapting receptors, rapidly adapting, vibration‐sensitive receptors and receptors with an intermediate adaptation rate.
How does a platypus use its electric Sixth Sense?
This super-sensory organ is packed with three distinct receptor cells that help the platypus detect movements and subtle electric fields produced by its prey. Platypuses use thousands of mechanoreceptors and electroreceptors in their bill skin to hunt prey in murky rivers and streams. Courtesy of Rainbow606/Wikimedia Commons
How does a platypus use its Super sensory organ?
This super-sensory organ is packed with three distinct receptor cells that help the platypus detect movements and subtle electric fields produced by its prey. Platypuses use thousands of mechanoreceptors and electroreceptors in their bill skin to hunt prey in murky rivers and streams.
How does the electroreceptor work in the platypus?
The mechanoreceptor allows for physical detection of objects in the water whereas the electroreceptor receives electric stimuli. The information provided by both receptors inform the platypus of the location of the prey (Figure 1). Figure 1. Click to enlarge. Mechanism of stimuli processing from the bill to the trigeminal nerve.
6. As well as electroreceptors, the skin of the bill contained three kinds of mechanoreceptors: slow‐adapting receptors, rapidly adapting, vibration‐sensitive receptors and receptors with an intermediate adaptation rate.
This super-sensory organ is packed with three distinct receptor cells that help the platypus detect movements and subtle electric fields produced by its prey. Platypuses use thousands of mechanoreceptors and electroreceptors in their bill skin to hunt prey in murky rivers and streams. Courtesy of Rainbow606/Wikimedia Commons
This super-sensory organ is packed with three distinct receptor cells that help the platypus detect movements and subtle electric fields produced by its prey. Platypuses use thousands of mechanoreceptors and electroreceptors in their bill skin to hunt prey in murky rivers and streams.
The mechanoreceptor allows for physical detection of objects in the water whereas the electroreceptor receives electric stimuli. The information provided by both receptors inform the platypus of the location of the prey (Figure 1). Figure 1. Click to enlarge. Mechanism of stimuli processing from the bill to the trigeminal nerve.
