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Wednesday

The Platypus


The platypus is an egg laying mammal exclusively found in Australia.  They are very shy creatures, but a lot of work is now being done to learn more about them in the wild.  I hope you find the video clip, courtesy of National Geographic interesting to watch; it may give you an insight into these little mammals, indeed, may even be your first encounter with a platypus.  Their scientific name is Ornithorrhynchus anatinus.

These curios of Nature are found south from the State of Tasmania and along the eastern parts of Australia and just within the borders of South Australia, in freezing waters of the Australian Alps (yes, we get snow here!) to the warm rivers and lagoons of tropical Queensland.  They are classed as mammals because although they are egg laying monotremes, their young are suckled and reared on milk from the mother.  The female lays two, sometimes three eggs at a time, which are stuck together until they hatch after an unknown gestation period.  

All in all one of the strangest yet most endearing of creatures, they are favourites of mine..  I hope you enjoy this small glimpse into the life of a true Aussie, the playtpus, on this, our official Australia Day, 26th January 2011.



 Infant platypi with mother in nest


Well developed platypi young



Platypus country

~~Penelope~~

4 comments:

  1. This is absolutely amazing Penelope! Thank you so much for this informative and beautiful post!!!
    Have a nice weekend!!!

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  2. i love platypi and i'm not afraid to admit it!!
    thanks for sharing eli!

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  3. Eli..I hope you are OK. I have tried E mailing but it does not go through.
    Hope you are OK...let me know when you Can.
    Hugz Deja

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