illustration of the australian mammal Platypus
The bizarre appearance of this egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals; the male Platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the Platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent coin. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.[
Size: 5301px × 3333px
Photo credit: © markku murto/art / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: anatinus, animal, animals, art, artwork, australia, australian, beaver-tailed, duck-billed, eastern, egg-laying, gould, illustration, illustrations, mammal, mammals, ornithorhynchus, otter-footed, painting, platypus, south, tasmania, venomous, vintage, wales, wilderness, wildlife
