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The duckbilled platypus is one of the strangest-looking creatures in the world. It looks like a quadruped, or a mammal with four legs, yet it has a beak! It is so unusual that scientists doubted its existence for many years after its discovery. It is most definitely a living creature, however, and one with specific mating habits, physical characteristics and behavioral patterns.
The history of this animal is an amusing one. Piecing together model animals was an old practice in certain parts of early England. In an effort to “discover” a new animal, or sometimes to pull someone’s leg, taxidermists were employed to place parts of certain animals together in clever ways to fool the viewer. For this reason, the first real specimens of the duckbilled platypus sent in for study received a halfhearted evaluation from scientists that were convinced that they were a clever hoax.
In 1799, an English scientist, George Shaw, examined a duckbilled platypus sent to him for observation. He concluded that he believed that the creature was real, although he did still entertain some doubts. This recommendation, while not wholly supportive, gave the duckbilled platypus a space in the scientific world. Now, this creature came to the attention of “naturalists,” or scientists that studied the natural world. They were fascinated by the shape of the creature, and the possibility of other creatures just as strange. Clearly, it was a subject of debate. Darwin even went on several exhibitions to hunt this creature so that he could study it. In his words, the duckbilled platypus was “wonderful.”
Once these curious associations were made between the platypus and other creatures, the duckbilled platypus became the subject of ads and posters about mythical entities. Several exhibitions showed this animal alongside fake unicorns, centuars, etc. One ad by the famous P.T. Barnum showed this animal beside a mermaid. It was difficult for people to tell which creature was false and which was real, after a time. Still, naturalists and scientists continued to study this animal, bringing us to the understanding that we have today.
The platypus belongs to the order Monotremata, which is the most primitive group of mammals that exists. The only other member of this group alive currently is the spiny anteater, also a mammal. As an aquatic and land-roving animal, the duckbilled platypus turns quite a few heads.
It has a beak in the manner of a large duck. Its body is covered in fur with four legs, mammary glands, which are unusual for an animal of this stature, and a flat tail in the manner of a beaver. Looked at from the side, it is not hard to believe that someone stitched together several parts of different animals. It has been proposed that monotremes, or members of the order Monotremata, are actually descendants of marsupials, specifically the kangaroo. This subject is one of great debate today.
The platypus has some distinct behavioral traits. It is a warm-blooded mammal that eats during the late night and early morning near water and lake areas. It is most likely found off the coast of Australia. It feeds on a diet of sea animals, including sea horses, shrimp, oysters and fish. It finds its food in water and on land by using electrical impulses. Instead of eating water found in water immediately, platypuses bring the food to land and grind it into small pieces using the grinding pad in their mouths.
The duckbilled platypus has distinctive reproductive habits, which make it a little bit of an anomaly. It lays eggs, which is very unusual for a mammal. It also suckles its young, once they have hatched. Babies, when they are born, break from the egg using a grinding pad in their mouths. They are half an inch long when they emerge, and their eyes don’t open for 11 weeks. During this time, they are extremely helpless.
Duckbilled platypuses can live for up to twenty years. Their worst enemy is actually the human. To protect itself, the male platypus has a poisonous spur on its hind legs. It grows up to 50 centimeters, or 20 inches for the male, 17 inches for the female. It moves with an awkward, rolling gait, and protects itself by living in a burrow that can be up to 55 feet long! Although they are seemingly harmless, the venom of a platypus can kill a dog or cat quickly. Their burrows contain two entrances, sometimes on both land and sea, so that they can escape from threats. Because it is good on land and water, the platypus is hard to catch, and early scientists were hard pressed to find ones to prove that they existed.
The effect of the platypus poison on humans has been documented a few times in history. It is not a pleasant experience. There are at least 25 elements in platypus venom. When the poison enters a victim, one protein in it causes blood to flow to the area of the sting. Acid in the venom causes a burning sensation. Another protein lowers blood pressure, causing shock and fainting, and certain components dissolve tissues and blood vessels, allowing poison to spread more rapidly. The strongest element of the poison works directly on the receptors to nerves that register pain. While an antidote exists, few visitors to a platypus home take their chances. Being stung means a long hospital stay.
Today, the duckbilled platypus is a famous exhibit at zoos across the world. While it is not an endangered species, people are working to make sure that it is safe in its habitat. So unusual a creature says a lot about evolution and the world in general.
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