Platypus Skull Replica

Description

Platypus skull replica measures 4.1 x 2.0 x 1.2 inches. The Ornithorhynchus anatinus is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast of a California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The duck-billed platypus originally comes from Australia, including the island of Tasmania. These semiaquatic creatures hunt underwater to eat insects, larvae, shellfish, and worms. Females lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young, typically producing 1 to 3 eggs per clutch.

This animal remains the sole living representative of its family and genus. Together with four echidna species, it forms the group called monotremes.

Like other monotremes, it senses prey through electrolocation. The platypus ranks as one of the few venomous mammals on earth. The male platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a painful venom.

The unusual appearance of this beaver-tailed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it the first scientists to examine a body in 1799 judged it a complete farce.

They thought someone sewed several animals together. These unique features make it an important subject in evolutionary biology. It serves as a recognizable and iconic symbol of Australia.

The animal has appeared as a mascot at national events. It also features on the reverse side of the Australian twenty-cent coin. The platypus represents the official animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. Humans hunted them for fur until the early 20^th century.

Laws now protect the platypus throughout its entire native range. Captive-breeding programs show limited success. Pollution threatens local populations, but the species faces no immediate threat of extinction.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Monotremata
• Family: Ornithorhynchidae
• Genus: Ornithorhynchus
• Species: O. anatinus
• Binomial name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus
• Conservatoin status: Near Threatened

Patricia, the platypus skull enjoys sewing, so much so, that she has sewn platypus stuffed animals and has made a killer income doing so. The demand for these darling stuffed animals is overwhelming, so she has hired her friend Spike, the short-nosed echidna skull replica.

Alley, the American alligator skull replica has volunteered to answer the phones and Jade, the green iguana skull replica is going to take over all the social media responsibilities.

Patrica is so thankful and to show her appreciation to all her friends she has custom made each one of them their very own platypus stuffed animals with their names embroidered on the beak.