Duck-billed Platypus
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Tiny Animal |
| Hit Dice | ½d8+1 (3 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 20 ft. (4 squares), burrow 5 ft., swim 20 ft. |
| Armor Class | 14 (+2 size, +1 Dex, +1 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +0/-10 |
| Attack | Claw +3 melee (1d2-3 plus poison) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +3 melee (1d2-3 plus poison) |
| Space/Reach | 2-½ ft./0 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Poison |
| Special Qualities | Hold breath, scent |
| Saves | Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +0 |
| Abilities | Str 4, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 5 |
| Skills | Hide +9, Survival +2, Swim +6 |
| Feats | Weapon Finesse |
| Environment | Temperate marshes |
| Organization | Solitary or pair |
| Challenge Rating | ¼ |
| Advancement | ― |
| Level Adjustment | ― |
Description
The duck-billed platypus is a marsupial creature with a dense fur coat that is adapted for life in rivers and shallow wetlands. It has sensitive, duck-like jaws that can root along the river bottom for morsels of food. The feet are webbed for efficient swimming, and its claws can be used to dig burrows in the soft banks of rivers.
The duck-billed platypus has poor eye-sight and its eyes are covered with fur while swimming. It also has small ears and relies primarily on scent for finding food and detecting threats. When threatened, it will slap the surface of the water with its beaver-like tail.
An adult duck-billed platypus is 2 feet long, including the tail, and weighs about 4 to 5 lbs.
Combat
Each hind leg of the male duck-billed platypus is equipped with a poison spur. When attacked, the platypus kicks with both legs causing slashing damage and injecting poison.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 11, initial and secondary damage 1d4 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Hold Breath: A duck-billed platypus can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to four times its Constitution score before it risks drowning.