P is for Platypus

Australia has around 140 species of land snake, and 32 recorded species of sea snakes. Some 100 Australian snakes are venomous, although only 12 are likely to inflict a wound that could kill you.

Our spiders too have a bad reputation. We have some of the most venomous spiders in the world. Some spider bites can be harmful and need emergency medical treatment. Some too can kill you.

But we’re going to leave those alone and look at the Platypus. These solitary, secretive creatures are nearly extinct and there is a huge push to remedy that situation.

Although not cute and cuddley like the Koala here are my Top Ten Platypus facts :

• The platypus is a mammal. 
• The platypus and the echidna are the only mammals that lay eggs.
• A baby platypus is called a puggle.
• They don’t have stomachs.
• They are carnivores.
• They don’t have teeth.
• They knuckle-walk like gorillas and anteaters
• Female platypuses don’t have nipples. Instead, they release milk from pores in their mammary glands.
• Male platypuses have venomous spurs.
• Platypuses swim with their front feet and steer with their back feet.

Have I seen a platypus in the wild?

Certainly. In the Royal National Park south of Sydney whilst picnicing, and in a stream on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. On both occasions I held my breath in excitement.

Lastly, some truly weird information. Did you know that in March 1943 the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, telegrammed Australian Prime Minister, John Curtin, requesting six platypuses be sent to Britain forthwith. There was a strict law in place preventing the removal of platypuses from Australia, but given who was asking, Curtin decided to make an exception, just this once.

The story goes that Churchill kept a colourful menagerie containing black swans, a lion called Rota, white kangaroos and other creatures. Many of these were gifts from individuals or organisations hoping to gain favour or publicity.

Australia sent a sole platypus to England though sadly, Winston the platypus never made it to the platypussary that had been so carefully constructed for him. Though the journey through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic was risky, the voyage proved uneventful. Winston was always “lively and ready for his food”. But on 6 November, just four days from Liverpool, the Port Phillip suffered a submarine attack. Winston was found dead in his tank immediately afterwards.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia