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When the platypus was first encountered by Europeans in 1798, a pelt and sketch were sent back to Great Britain by Captain John Hunter, the second Governor of New South Wales.

The species is classified as a near-threatened species by the IUCN, but a November 2020 report has recommended that it is upgraded to threatened species under the federal EPBC Act, due to habitat destruction and declining numbers in all states.įrederick Nodder's illustration from the first scientific description in 1799 of " Platypus anatinus" It is listed as an endangered species in South Australia and vulnerable in Victoria. Although captive-breeding programs have had only limited success, and the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not under any immediate threat.Īs of 2020, the platypus is a legally protected species in all states where it occurs. Until the early 20th century, humans hunted the platypus for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. It has appeared as a mascot at national events and features on the reverse of the Australian twenty-cent coin, and the platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. It is culturally significant to several Aboriginal peoples of Australia, who also used to hunt the animal for food. 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. In 1799, the first scientists to examine a preserved platypus body judged it a fake, made of several animals sewn together. The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it. It is one of the few species of venomous mammals, as the male platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom, capable of causing severe pain to humans. Like other monotremes, it senses prey through electrolocation. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The platypus is the sole living representative or monotypic taxon of its family ( Ornithorhynchidae) and genus ( Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species appear in the fossil record. We hear his mother’s voice off-camera say “Pierce wake up! Pierce! Well, I guess it speaks for itself.The platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus), sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. The video continues to show kids hugging and dancing with their Pillow Pets, until the last frame of the video which shows Pierce, who is still sleeping soundly on his Jumbo Eeyore Pillow Pet. It’s for you! It’s a Pillow Pet! Not for the pets, either.

Third kid’s response: “Nobody likes sleeping, but this just makes me want to sleep.”įourth kid’s response: “Whenever I want to go on a car trip, I always ask if I can bring my unicorn because she’s so fluffy, and I can always nap on her whenever I want.”įifth kid’s response: “It’s not a parent pillow, ok? So don’t let your parents use it. Second kid’s response: “I always snuggle with her because I’m always so scared of the dark, so I’m always like.” and the little girl gives the Pillow Pet a huge hug.” Second question: How do Pillow Pets help you sleep?įirst kid’s response: “It’s very cozy, so it just reminds me of home.” Pierce is currently snoozing on a Pillow Pet and has decided to answer our questions at a later time. Third kid’s response: “They’re soft, portable, cleanable! They keep memories, not stains! So if I got a stain on it, just pop it in the washing machine, and then boom it’s ready.”įourth kid’s response: “I would be able to just fold it up and store it really easily in, like, my backpack or my suitcase.”įifth kid’s response: Actually, Pierce can’t respond. It's a Pillow Pet! It has silky soft plush fabric.” Second kid’s response: “It’s not one of those regular pillows.

This video asks a group of kids several questions about Pillow Pets.įirst question: Why is everyone raving about Pillow Pets?įirst kid’s response: “So a Pillow Pet is almost like a pet, except you can also use it as a pillow.” Pillow Pets! “It’s a Pillow, It’s a Pet, It’s a Pillow Pet!”