How did the platypus get named?

Answer 1

In the early days of European settlement in Australia, the platypus was known as a water-mole. British scientist, Dr George Shaw, was the first European to examine the platypus. It is well-known that he believed the creature to be a hoax, made up of various other creatures. Once Shaw had established that the pelt was real, he named it Platypus anatinus, from Greek and Latin words meaning "flat-footed, duck-like". This was published in "The Naturalist's Miscellany" in 1799.

After realising that the name "platypus" had already been given to a group of beetles, Shaw assigned it the scientific name of Ornithorhynchus anatinus, the first word of which means "bird-like snout". However, the original name of platypus was adopted as the common name, over the word "duckbill", which had also begun to be used.

The word platypus is from the Greek platypous, meaning "flat-footed": from platys "broad, flat" + pous "foot."

Answer 2

Australia

Platypuses live throughout eastern coastal Australia in the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, and the island state of Tasmania. They are found from the cooler sub-alpine areas in the south, such as Victoria and the Tasmanian highlands, north through New South Wales to tropical far north Queensland.

If tye question is in reference to how did the platypus come to exist, the answer is that the platypus has always been a platypus. It is not derived from the beaver, otter, duck or any other animal. There is no actual evidence of evolution in the platypus's line. Fossils of possible platypus ancestors indicate that, if it did indeed have other ancestors, they shared the same characteristics the modern platypus has today.

Answer 3

It didn't. The platypus has always been a platypus. It is not derived from the beaver, otter, duck or any other animal.

There is no actual evidence of evolution in the platypus's line. Fossils of possible platypus ancestors indicate that, if it did indeed have other ancestors, they shared the same characteristics the modern platypus has today.

Answer 4

In the early days of European settlement in Australia, the platypus was known as a water-mole. British scientist, Dr George Shaw, was the first European to examine and formally name the platypus. It is well-known that he believed the creature to be a hoax, made up of various other creatures. Once Shaw had established that the pelt was real, he named it Platypus anatinus, from Greek and Latin words meaning "flat-footed, duck-like". This was published in "The Naturalist's Miscellany" in 1799.

After realising that the name "platypus" had already been given to a group of beetles, Shaw assigned it the scientific name of Ornithorhynchus anatinus, the first word of which means "bird-like snout". However, the original name of platypus was adopted as the common name, over the word "duckbill", which had also begun to be used.

The word platypus is from the Greek platypous, meaning "flat-footed": from platys "broad, flat" + pous "foot."

Answer 5

The platypus has always been a platypus. It is not derived from the beaver, otter, duck or any other animal.

There is no actual evidence of evolution in the platypus's line. Fossils of possible platypus ancestors indicate that, if it did indeed have other ancestors, they shared the same characteristics the modern platypus has today.

Answer 6

The platypus was named by British scientist Dr George Shaw. He was the first scientist to examine the animal in detail.

When a platypus pelt was sent back to Britain, Shaw believed it to be a hoax, made up of parts of other animals. After he realised it was quite genuine, he named the animal Platypus anatinus.The word platypus is from the Greek platypous, meaning "flat-footed": from platys "broad, flat" + pous "foot."

However, Shaw soon realised that the name "platypus" had already been given to a group of beetles, and he then assigned it the scientific name of Ornithorhynchus anatinus. Ornithorhynchus translates as "bird-like snout". For awhile, the animal was commonly called the "duckbill", rather than its original name of water-mole, a reference to its habit of closing its eyes when underwater. Somehow, the name Shaw originally gave it - platypus - began to be favoured.

Answer 7

When the early European settlers lived in Australia, the platypus was known as a water-mole. British scientist, Dr George Shaw, was the first European to examine the platypus. It is well-known that he believed the creature to be a hoax, made up of various other creatures. Once Shaw had established that the pelt was real, he named it Platypus anatinus, from Greek and Latin words meaning "flat-footed, duck-like". This was published in "The Naturalist's Miscellany" in 1799.

After realising that the name "platypus" had already been given to a group of beetles, Shaw assigned it the scientific name of Ornithorhynchus anatinus, the first word of which means "bird-like snout". However, the original name of platypus was adopted as the common name, over the word "duckbill", which had also begun to be used.

The word platypus is from the Greek platypous, meaning "flat-footed": from platys "broad, flat" + pous "foot."

Answer 8

It isn't. The plural of platypus is platypuses, not platypi.

Answer 9

by god

Answer 10

Wrong I work I work with other esteemed individuals in the field and it is in fact platipussies