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Ornithorhynchus anatinus, duck-billed platypus
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Ornithorhynchus anatinus, duck-billed platypus
Plate 13 from a collection of 49 original watercolour drawings of animals by Ferdinand Lucas Bauer (1760-1826), from the H.M.S. Investigator expedition to Australia, 1801-1803
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1774 1814 18th Century Anatidae Anseriformes Australasia Australian Bauer Beak Bill Billed Claw Discovery Dorsal Duck Duck Billed Duck Billed Platypus Epitheria Eutheria Exploration Feet
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Plate 13 from the extraordinary collection of 49 original watercolour drawings of animals by Ferdinand Lucas Bauer, created during the H.M.S. Investigator expedition to Australia from 1801 to 1803. This watercolour depicts the elusive Ornithorhynchus anatinus, commonly known as the duck-billed platypus, a native Australian animal that defies typical classification as a bird or mammal. Bauer's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the intricate anatomy of the platypus' unique features, including its duck-like bill and webbed feet. The platypus' beak, a complex structure containing electroreceptors that help it detect prey underwater, is a testament to the wonders of evolution. Its clawed feet, adapted for swimming, are also clearly visible. The platypus, discovered in 1798 by European explorers, was a groundbreaking find in the natural world. It challenged the prevailing scientific understanding of the time, which classified animals into distinct categories of birds, reptiles, and mammals. The platypus, with its avian bill and mammalian body, was a puzzle that baffled naturalists. Bauer's watercolour drawing of the platypus, made between 1774 and 1814, is a valuable historical record of this remarkable animal. The platypus is a member of the monotreme order, which includes the only other mammals that lay eggs, such as the echidna. The platypus is an important symbol of the rich biodiversity of Australasia and a testament to the spirit of exploration and discovery that characterized the 18th and 19th centuries. This detailed and intriguing watercolour drawing invites us to marvel at the natural world and the wonders that lie hidden in its depths.
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