Unlike many animals, platypuses can maneuver backward in water by rotating their webbed hind feet. This unique swimming ability allows precise control when hunting or navigating tight spaces. They often use backward swimming to reposition while catching prey or avoiding obstacles. Combined with their front-foot propulsion and tail steering, they are among the most agile freshwater swimmers. This skill enhances hunting efficiency and predator avoidance. Platypuses also use backward swimming to clean their burrows underwater. It demonstrates coordination of limbs rarely seen in other mammals.
Backward swimming increases survival in complex river environments.
Agility improves hunting success and predator evasion.
Platypuses’ limb coordination is highly specialized for aquatic life.
National Geographic (nationalgeographic.com)