PLATYPUS PATHS Art Poster

Another design in Skye’s neo-primitive series with Australian Aboriginal influences. This image features a swimming Platypus, a creature that is rarely seen and thereby assigned mystical powers when associated with Australian tribal mythologies. This image depicts the precious Platypus creating patterns in water. This is an unusual animal by any standard, and seldom seen in the wild due to its very shy nature. “The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. It is the sole living representative of its family and genus. 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. Until the early 20th century it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Although captive breeding programs have had only limited success and the Platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution. Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Monotremata Family: Ornithorhynchidae Genus: Ornithorhynchus Species: O. anatinus Binomial name Ornithorhynchus anatinus” (Source: Wikipedia) 25% of proceeds benefit the caring wildlife protection group at WildlifeDirect.org