Platypus Matters

Scientifically informed and funny, a firsthand account of Australia’s wonderfully unique mammals—and how our perceptions impact their future. Think of a platypus: They lay eggs (that hatch into so-called platypups), produce milk without nipples and venom without fangs, and can detect electricity. Or a wombat: Their teeth never stop growing, they poop cubes, and they defend themselves with reinforced rears. And what about antechinuses—tiny marsupial carnivores whose males don’t see their first birthday, as their frenzied sex lives take so much energy that their immune systems fail? Platypuses, possums, wombats, echidnas, devils, kangaroos, quolls, dibblers, dunnarts, kowaris: Australia has some truly astonishing mammals, with incredible, unfamiliar features. But how does the world regard these creatures? And what does that mean for their conservation? In Platypus Matters, naturalist Jack Ashby shares his love for these often-misunderstood animals. Informed by his own experiences meeting living marsupials and egg-laying mammals during fieldwork in Tasmania and mainland Australia, as well as his work with thousands of zoological specimens collected for museums over the last two-hundred-plus years, Ashby’s tale not only explains historical mysteries and debunks myths (especially about the platypus), but also reveals the toll these myths can take. Ashby makes clear that calling these animals “weird” or “primitive”—or incorrectly implying that Australia is an “evolutionary backwater,” a perception that can be traced back to the country’s colonial history—has undermined conservation: Australia now has the worst mammal extinction rate of any place on Earth. Important, timely, and written with humor and wisdom by a scientist and self-described platypus nerd, this celebration of Australian wildlife will open eyes and change minds about how we contemplate and interact with the natural world—everywhere.

"Naturalist and Assistant Director of the Museum of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, Jack Ashby shares his love for the platypus and other Australian mammals, including wombats, echidnas, and kangaroos. Informed by stories of his experiences meeting living marsupials and egg-laying mammals on fieldwork in Tasmania and mainland Australia and his close contact with thousands of zoological specimens collected for museums over the last 200 years, Ashby's book explains historical mysteries and debunks myths about these mammals and especially the platypus-which lays eggs, feeds its young on milk, has venom spurs, and sports a bill that can detect electricity. In evaluating how humans have considered these special mammals, he makes clear that calling these animals "weird" or "primitive"- or incorrectly implying that Australia is an "evolutionary backwater"-has only added to the challenges for their conservation. One outcome of these descriptions is that Australia now has the worst mammal extinction rate of anywhere on Earth. Ashby argues that many of the ways that the world thinks about Australia's mammals can be traced back to the country's colonial history"--

*FINALIST FOR THE 2020 GENERAL NONFICTION MINNESOTA BOOK AWARDS* Interested in the origins of the species? Consider the Platypus uses pets such as dogs and cats as well as animal outliers like the axolotl and naked mole rat to wittily tackle mind-bending concepts about how evolution, biology, and genetics work. Consider the Platypus explores the history and features of more than 50 animals to provide insight into our current understanding of evolution. Using Darwin's theory as a springboard, Maggie Ryan Sandford details scientists' initial understanding of the development of creatures and how that has expanded in the wake of genetic sequencing, including the: Peppered Moth, which changed color based on the amount of soot in the London air; California Two-Spotted Octopus, which has the amazing ability to alter its DNA/RNA not over generations but during its lifetime; miniscule tardigrade, which is so hearty it can withstand radiation, lack of water and oxygen, and temperatures as low as -328°F and as high 304 °F; and, of course, the platypus, which has so many disparate features, from a duck's bill to venomous spur to mammary patches, that scientists originally thought it was a hoax. Surprising, witty, and impeccably researched, Sandford describes each animal's significant features and how these have adapted to its environment, such as the zebra finch's beak shape, which was observed by Charles Darwin and is a cornerstone of his Theory of Evolution. With scientifically accurate but charming art by Rodica Prato, Consider the Platypus showcases species as diverse as the sloth, honey bee, cow, brown kiwi, and lungfish, to name a few, to tackle intimidating concepts is a accessible way.

Audisee® eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and text highlighting for an engaging read aloud experience! Find out what a platypus has in common with a beaver or a dolphin. Learn what sets a platypus apart from a giraffe or a wild dog. Readers will compare key traits of platypuses—their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle—to traits of other mammals. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Dive and swim. Spin and swoop. The platypus loves to play! Beginning readers will dive right into this simple, Step 2 nonfiction book about one of the most unique animals on earth.

Along with the kangaroos, the platypus is totally identified with Australia, and no other living animal has intrigues and fascinated the layperson and the scientist to quite the same degree. This book confines itself to the know facts rather than to the myths and legends with surround this beautiful, secretive and shy creature. In a clear narrative style assisted by superb illustrations, The Platypus takes us through the four seasons in the life of a platypus, describing for us what they eat, where they live, how they reproduce and how they are adapted for survival in an environment that is periodically ravaged by floods and droughts. This third edition of The Platypus has been thoroughly revised and re-designed enabling the reader to be fully up-to-date on the latest research findings about this unique Australian creature.

The platypus is one strange-looking animal! These mammals have duck-like bills, beaver-like tails, otter-like bodies, and even venomous stingers on their webbed feet! Find out how these bizarre animals use their unique features in this title for beginning readers.

What’s that furry mammal with a bill? It’s a platypus! Beginning readers will learn all about these strange yet wonderful creatures in this delightful title. They will also learn basic information about platypuses, including how they catch food by picking up electrical signals and how they lay eggs! Each 24-page book features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The lively text, colorful design, and eye-catching photos are sure to capture the interest of emergent readers.

In 1798, the governor of Australia, John Hunter, came across an odd-looking animal. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. Curious as to the identity of the mysterious creature, he shipped the strange animal to scientists in Great Britain so they could study it. At first, the scientists thought the animal was a hoax. No real animal could look so bizarre. Was it a fish, a bird, or a mammal? No sooner did scientists determine that this rare animal was indeed real than a new set of questions arose that would take scientists over a century to answer. In Platypus: A Century-long Mystery, kids follow the work of scientists as they study the platypus and attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the animal's identity. Large, full-color photos and a narrative text will keep readers turning the pages for more.