The platypus might hold the answer to the world's superbug woes.

Scientists have pin-pointed a curly protein in the native animal's milk – dubbed the "Shirley Temple" – they believe could be used to kill off bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

Platypus milk could contain an important ingredient.

The platypus is a monotreme, which along with echidnas, are the only animals that lay eggs and produce milk to feed their young.

But because they don't have teats, they express their highly-nutritious milk onto their belly - leaving it exposed to the environment.