Author(s): Elizabeth Parer-Cook

Animals

The platypus is a remarkable semi-aquatic mammal found only in Australia. Along with the echidna, it lays eggs like a bird, walks like a reptile and has existed for millions of years. One of the world's strangest looking animals, it is so unusual that when it was first examined by European naturalists they thought it was made up of various animals sewn together - a hoax - with a bill and webbed feet like a duck, a tail like a beaver and venomous spurs. People have always been fascinated by these cute, beguiling little creatures. However, many of their habits remain a mystery as they are largely nocturnal and difficult to spot in the wild. This book will take you on a journey into the bizarre world of the platypus and echidna - the world's only egg-laying mammals - and offers clues as to where in Australia you may go to see these intriguing animals. Written and photographed by Emmy award-winning wildlife filmmakers, David Parer and Elizabeth Parer-Cook, this book incorporates up-to-date scientific knowledge about the platypus with fresh new photographs of the animal's unique behaviour. Featured are extremely rare images of baby platypus interacting with their mother inside their nest deep underground and mesmerising photographs of pairs courting in the wild.