Sunday, 28 April 2024

What's In a Critter's Name? 21. Duckbilled platypus

The platypus part of this Monotreme's (egg-laying Mammal) name is from Ancient Greek. 'Platus' means 'flat' and a 'pous' is a 'foot'. So, 'platupous' means 'flat-footed', which is certainly true of the paddles of this beast.

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Slip-Sliding Away

Qikiqtaruk is an Arctic Island off Canada's coast. It's an ecologically rich location, with Beluga whales, Dolly Varden char, bears...