These Unique Animals Threatened Climate Change

Thick, waterproof feathers that could make the platypus (Ornithorhynhus anatinus) becomes a target for poachers are now re-present threat to these unique animals. Australia, is home to platypus in the near future will become too hot until they could no longer survive there.

As is known, platypus fur is very warm and close together they make the semi-aquatic animals are not losing body heat. This is very important given the platypus to spend up to 10 hours per day in water and streams where the temperature reaches 0 degrees Celsius.

Unfortunately, this excess jusru make it threatened species because climate change is already heating temperature in Australia. From recent research published in Global Change Biology, is expected in the coming year 2070, more than 30 percent of current platypus habitat would be too hot for them.

Of modeling are made, researchers estimate, the area of ​​New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, which is a platypus habitat will increase the temperature to 5 degrees Celsius in 60 years.

"Fur is very isolating this is an asset for animals in cold climates. However, fur to be a burden when conditions warmed up, "said Jenny Davis, professor and ecologist at Monash University, Australia, as quoted by BBC News, June 24, 2011.

For the study, Davis and his team studied the records of platypus distribution over the last two centuries. The data was then combined with rainfall and temperature statistics. From the analysis, it was revealed that until 1960, platispu habitat is generally determined by amount of rainfall.

After 1960, the animals disappeared from the region where the temperature generally has increased. According to Davis, the results of this study indicate the need to maintain not only the habitat of aquatic animals, but also the temperature of the water flow.

Until the 20th century, the platypus is a game that fur is in great demand. Luckily now the animal has been protected by law in Australia.

Platypus itself is one of five species of mammals that lay eggs. They are also the only member of the genus Ornithorhynchus are still alive. Platypus is also the only venomous mammal in the world.
• VIVAnews

Posted in: article