This is a drawing of a platypus by an artist called Eugene von Guerard. It was done way back in 1854 (that's 157 years ago kids!) and the title of the work is 'Billed Animal - Ornithorhynchus paradoxus'. This was the first scientific name given to this strange creature that has a bill like a duck and a tail like a beaver. "Ornithorhynchus" means "bird snout" in Greek and "Paradoxus" comes from the word "paradox" which means something that is hard to believe but true - just like the platypus! Later on, the name was officially changed to 'Ornithorhynchus anatinus' which means "bird snout duck-like".
We're going to go looking for a platypus or two in the Running Stream this Sunday (June 12). So if you want to join us, come and meet up at 4pm at Foxwood Farm Café, Running Stream. Platypus are very shy so we're going to have to be very quiet. There'll be a prize for the best platypus spotter! If you can't make it, don't worry. We'll take some photos and tell you all about it here on the Puggles Club Blog next Monday. We might even do some drawings too, just like Eugene's!
No comments:
Post a Comment