

The platypus rests 17 hours a day, and is only active for about 7 hours in the night. The platypus has poor eyesight under water, and usually hunts at night so the platypus locates its prey with special receptor cells in its duck-bill capable of detecting small changes in electrical fields caused by their prey. The beaver-like tail stores fat that provides energy in times when food is scarce. The platypus can hold its breath up to 2 minutes under water, but must surface often to breathe in air. Join us in giving glory to God for his loving care for us and his creation, despite the curse.The platypus is covered with a water resistant double layer of fur that provides warmth and keeps the platypus dry.

And God has also thus provided us with examples of his intelligence and provision that we can put to good use in biomimicry. We can praise the Creator for a remnant of that incredible beauty and design still. Seeing things through the lens of Scripture, we see an all-wise and intelligent God who spoke animals into existence in a perfect world that was soon marred by sin and death. Of course some animals are impressive for their beauty and design, too. Keep in mind, though, that not all deadly looking features necessarily had to develop! Fruit bats are a great example of how mean-looking teeth can work just as well for ripping apart vegetation, not flesh! For more about how and why deadly structures are now a part of our world, see “ How Did Defense/Attack Structures Come About?” Because of the Curse, traits developed that would have been unnecessary before Adam sinned, like venom and stingers for attack and defense. Death then intruded upon God’s perfect creation, so animals, people, and plants have had to fight for survival ever since. Remember that everything was cursed because of man's sin (think specifically of the ground and serpent mentioned in Genesis 3). Pray that God’s kindness would lead many to turn to Jesus as the only Savior from sin. Take your friend on a tour through Romans. But don’t stop there! The God who reveals himself in creation also reveals himself in his Word-the Bible. It has a bill like a duck, a beaver-like tail, webbed feet like an otter, hair like a bear, claws like a reptile, lays eggs like a turtle, and has poison like a snake! 1Īfter learning about the platypus, perhaps your evolutionist friend will acknowledge the Creator’s design. The platypus is Ken Ham’s favorite animal:Įvery time an evolutionist looks at the platypus, I think God smiles! Think about it. Recent evidence shows that platypuses lived at the same time as dinosaurs, a finding that fits perfectly with the creation account. The only difference is that today’s platypus has degenerated from the early, more robust platypus. Yet platypus fossils, which have been found as far as South America, vary little from their modern counterparts. If the platypus evolved, we would expect to find transitional forms in the fossil record. Early studies labeled the platypus as primitive until discovery of the intricate design of electroreception, which enables the platypus to sense electrical currents from the muscle contractions of the animals it hunts. Some even disregarded the patchwork platypus as a hoax.
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The Europeans who first encountered the platypus late in the 18th century were puzzled about how to classify an animal with mammal, reptile, and bird features. Dives for food can take about a minute before the platypus comes up for air. The platypus is generally nocturnal and is a hardworking animal, spending about 12 hours each day searching for food.This venom may kill animals like dogs and is very painful to humans. The male platypus can deliver venom through a spur on its hind ankle.Platypuses vary in weight from one and a half to five pounds and can reach 20 inches in length.The platypus lives in and near lakes, rivers, and streams in eastern Australia.The platypus and the echidnas (spiny anteaters) are the only monotremes, an order of mammals that lay eggs.The name platypus is a combination of Greek words meaning “flat foot.” The scientific name of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, means “duck-like” in Latin.
