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This is a Duck-billed Platypus, in the wild at Eungella National Park.
Platypi (platypusses?) are far from endangered. They're still
thriving in creeks all across Australia. But most Australians have
never seen one. They dig burrows in the mud in the banks of creeks
and only emerge for a short time to feed at dusk and dawn.
Eungella has a creek where you are likely to see them. We stayed
for two days and found you had better be there at first light and last
light or you would miss them. They were smaller than we expected -
maybe 10" long. We expected something more like beavers. In
this photo, the head is at the upper right. You can see the
yellowish eyes. They dive down to the bottom and root around for
grubs and things in the mud, then surface for 10 seconds or so to chew
and swallow. Then, in a very cute maneuver, their webbed feet
drive them straight back down to the bottom in the blink of an eye.
They are absolutely fascinating to watch. I would have to say this
was our top wildlife moment in Australia (until the tree kangaroos) and we have been surprised
since then to find out that most Australians have never seen one.
We have seen several more outside the national parks since then, but you
have to work to find them. |