Duck Billed Platypus and George Shaw
Ok, for those of you aren’t familiar with this animal, heres a picture:
Thats right. You are looking at a semi-aquatic mammal with a beak.
It is by far one of the oddest animals to ever be discovered. Infact when it was originally discovered and information was sent back to study, including a pelt, it was called a fraud.
It was first discovered by Captain John Hunter (Amazing name.) in 1798, and information was sent to be analysed by British scientists.
There are hundreds of interesting facts about the platypus. A few examples are:
- Along with the Echidna family, much like Knuckles, of “Sonic and Knuckles” Fame, it is one of 5 mammals which lay eggs instead of giving live birth.
- It is one of very few venomous mammals, delivering its venom from a sharp spur on its hind legs
- It has a freaking beak
- It is aquatic
All of these things are very interesting, and fairly unique to the animal.
The name platypus was chosen by scientist George Shaw, but had to be changed when they realised an insect already had the same name.
He was presented with an animal with fur, a beak, a venomous claw, webbed feet and the quality of laying eggs, the naming possibilities were endless.
FURBEAKVENOMEGG
would of been a good name, but no.
George Shaw named it the platypus, from the latin “Platys” (Broad, flat) and “Pous” (Foot).
Yes ladies and gentlemen, possibly the most interesting and strange looking creature on the planet, is technically named “Flat foot”.
FLAT FOOT?!
I can name hundreds of creatures with flat feet. Humans for one. What I can’t do, is name a single other mammal, with a venomous claw and a beak.
George Shaw is officially the most boring man that ever lived.
The platypus was renamed Ornithorhynchus anatinus, which roughly translates to “Bird Snout Duck Like” in a combination of Greek and Latin. Which is better, but they are still neglecting the venom.
Scientists, be more creative with your words.
That is all.
