The Peculiar Platypus: Nature's Evolutionary Marvel

When scientists first encountered the platypus in the late 18th century, they suspected a hoax - a taxidermist's creation stitched together from parts of different animals. With its duck-like bill, beaver-like tail, otter-like feet, and ability to lay eggs despite being a mammal, the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) defied conventional classification. Today, this remarkable creature continues to fascinate biologists as one of Earth's most uni...