Click to enlarge.
Tomorrow my daughter from Australia is coming with her family, that's why I write entries about Australia. The header shows a photo taken in the Tablelands in Queensland. When we were there in 2008, we tried to find this remarkable animal, the platypus. We were told that if we walked along this water, we might see this shy and rare animal, native to Australia. It is such a strange creature that the first Europeans, who came back in their homeland, were not believed that it really existed. It has the bill of a duck and the body of a mammal, it lays eggs, but it feeds the babies with milk.
Wikipedia says:"The Platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. It is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record.
The bizarre appearance of this egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals; the male Platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the Platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent coin. The Platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales".
With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with P.
41 comments:
Sure is a strange and obviously very shy animal. When I visited Halesville Sanctuary in Melbourne it was impossible to get a glimpse of them....
Christina, sweden
Sure proof that God/Nature/Evolution has a sense of humor! Wonderful creatures, indeed!
World is small if we are using computer but World is too big to visit in ones life if we are traveling. Thanks for sharing info.
Thanks a lot.
India is a curious place
Oh! Ce n'est pas courant !
What a great post, as always! They are such shy animals and I have to agree with Vicki, God/Nature/Evolution do indeed have a sense of humor. By the way, your header shot is gorgeous!! Enjoy the visit with your family and have a wonderful week!
Sylvia
What a fascinating creature. i had no idea they were venomous. They certainly look like a humorous mistake.
Enjoy your daughter's visit Wil.
I didn't know much about platypus. Thanks for sharing.
It's my first time to join ABC Wednesday. Do drop by if you have time.
Liz @ MLC
I didn't know the platypus was venomous, Wil - I suppose with their retiring nature they have to have some Protection. I fear I will never see a Platypus, but thank you for sharing all that interesting information.
Hope you have a happy visit with your daughter....
Great info about the platypus...enjoy your visit with your daughter!
That was interesting. I never knew it was venomous.
Oh! I am so excited that your daughter is coming for a visit! I hope you have the best time!
The only time I've seen the platypus was during a visit to Sydney's Taronga Zoo.The younger son who just learned about platypus in his class was so thrilled.
Such amazing animals! Lovely photos, interesting information.
Very, very interesting.... thanks for all the information.
Interesting. I've always thought it must be of the same pretense as the jackalope. Glad to know it really exists - it's been years since I've thought of one. Thanks for the information!
I've always found these elusive creatures interesting, but I didn't know they had venom as well. Very interesting. Thanks so much for this fun post.
Het eigenaardige vogelbek dier, heeft wel iets fascinerend.
Hopelijk is bij jou de zon een ganse dag van de partij, dat maakt het weerzien van je dochter nog leuker
That's a real strange creature !
BTW I added your link on ABC Blog
You have chosen the best P this week as far as I can see. A living fossil of tremendous evolutionary importance. I really hope that it is preserved as the treasure it is.
I have seen them years ago, at a wildlife park, and have searched in the wild lots of times since without finding any. But we did find some turtle, that pleased us.
Loved your interesting Post for P!!
I have never heard of such animal, it's fascinating.
P is for palm tree
I am sure you will have a good time with your daughter and family.
I have never seen a platypus though I have been to Australia many times.
Fascinating post - never knew there was so much to know about Platypus!
Gary
The new ranking about mums, you have jumped from 10 to 8. Congratulations.
I bet you are very excited with your family coming over. Hope they are not too jet lagged to see what is left of the tulips and daffodils.
In other words, the Platypus is Pretty Peculiar. I remember reading about them as a kid, but I think they left out the venomous part.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
I'm so happy for you. You're going to see your daughter and her family and spend some beautiful family moments with them. Have fun!
I've loved the idea of the duck-billed platypus ever since I first heard of it when I was very young. What a fascinating creature - thank you for a very informative post.
Enjoy your daughter's visit :-)
They do appear to be made up of left over pieces. Did not know they were venomous either. Per usual, I always learn something here. Thanks.
Wow what a great information. I have never heard this kind of animal before and they still exist today! Thanks for the info. Happy weekdays!
ABC Wednesday~P
They are indeed bizarre - no wonder the first people to hear about them didn't believe what they were hearing! It was a while before I found out that they are venomous, but once I did I developed a healthy respect for this 'joke' animal.
Interesting about them keeping their catch in their cheeks until they surface. Don't those shrimp wriggle in there? LOL!
Very educational post for today. pollow your blog i mean follow your blog so i can keep coming back for more educational and informative post.
Reader Wil, That was a interesting post today. I didn't know they were venomous, thanks for sharing such an informative post today.
Great choice for a p-word. What a fascinating animal! I never knew it was venomous. I knew they were mammals that laid eggs, had a duck bill and nursed their young. Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes,
Anna
http://annasadornments.blogspot.com/2010/05/p-as-in-pearls-abc-wednesday-round-6-p.html
Very different animal! Have a wonderful time with your family!
My grandson loves platypus on his cartoon.
On behalf of the ABC Wed. team, thanks for playing.
Je zult nu wel genieten met je bezoek he, nu het zonnetje nog van de partij en kan niet meer stuk
Very interesting I have never seen a platypus in real life
We staan weer aan het begin van een nieuwe week, maak er maar iets moois van hoor
I learned a lot here. Thanks.
They look so cute.
What a lovely creature, great info about the platypus!
amazing stuff!
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