Recently, Roy enjoyed some time at Jenolan Caves (in NSW), a place which he loved but had never been before. While we were there we saw lots of different things and places, which Roy will tell you about soon, but there was one thing which really excited him - seeing a platypus. Roy has many things which he loves and which interest him, but when it comes to animals, platypus are his favourites. Such interesting, beautiful animals, and with an interesting history. So today, he thought he would like to share why he thinks they are such amazing animals.
Platypus are shy and slightly mysterious creatures, which are not often seen in the wild. Of course, you can easily see these amazing creatures by visiting the zoo, but to see one in the wild is quite magical. Apparently, they are frequent visitors to the Blue Lake at Jenolan Caves and can often be seen early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when there aren't too many people around.
The first Europeans to see platypus observed them near the Hawkesbury River (near Sydney, NSW) in 1797. They were completely confused by the animal. After all, it had a flat tail like a beaver, webbed feet, a furry body and a bill like a duck. They sent specimens to England so that the zoologists could examine them, and the zoologists thought the creature was a fake. In fact, one specimen in the British Museum of Natural History still has scissor marks where the zoologist tried to pry off the platypus bill! A British Scientist in 1802 solved this debate when he claimed that the creature was real, but this was not the end of the debates.
Being furry, platypus are mammals, but mammals suckle their young with milk. Platypus didn't appear to have any way to suckle their young, so people were confused. Surely a furry mammal couldn't lay eggs? For 82 years debate raged, but eventually the question was solved. The platypus is indeed a mammal, and does suckle its young, but it also lays eggs. It turned out to be a very rare and unusual type of animal, a monotreme. There is only one other group of monotremes, the echidnas, making these Australian animals very special indeed.
The platypus had one more important role to play though. In 1836, Charles Darwin, who was visiting on his famous voyage on The Beagle observed the platypus in the Cox's River. There is a monument near where he saw it now, in Wallerawang (near Lithgow in NSW). He was astonished by this creature, which seemed to be made by 'two creators', and when he was developing his theory of evolution, the platypus was to play an important role, highlighting the unique ways in which species can evolve in isolation. If you would like to learn more about the platypus click here or here.