This children’s article, The duck-billed platypus: Perhaps nature’s strangest animal!, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about unique animals, and explore the wonders of nature. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
A creature that looked like a joke
When European explorers first saw a platypus in Australia, they couldn’t believe their eyes. It had the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and webbed feet like a frog. Scientists back in England even thought it was a prank and accused the explorers of sewing different animal parts together.
But it wasn’t a joke, it was real. The duck-billed platypus is one of the strangest and most wonderful animals on Earth. Even today, people are amazed at how such an interesting creature evolved to be what it is today.
An egg-laying mammal
Most mammals, like cats, humans, or whales, give birth to live babies. But the platypus doesn’t follow the rules. It’s one of the very few mammals that lay eggs! The mother curls up around her eggs in a burrow until they hatch, which is the kind of thing you’d expect from a reptile, not a furry mammal.
It doesn’t stop there. Platypuses also have webbed feet for swimming and use their soft, flat bills to detect electric signals in the water as they hunt for food. That makes them expert hunters in rivers and creeks.
Where do platypuses live
Platypuses are found only in Australia, mainly in the eastern parts of the country and in Tasmania. They live in freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes, where they dig burrows into the riverbanks.
They’re most active at night, swimming gracefully through the water, hunting their prey at the bottom of the river. During the day, they rest in their burrows, away from the hot sun and curious eyes.
Are platypuses endangered?
Right now, platypuses aren’t officially listed as endangered, but their numbers are falling. Drought, pollution, and destroyed habitats are making life harder for them.
The good news is that people are working to protect rivers and wetlands in Australia, which helps the platypus survive. Keeping their water clean and their homes safe means this incredible creature will be around for future generations to enjoy. Check out WWF’s website for more facts about this amazing creature.
Photo credit – Paul Stein from New Jersey, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Article vocabulary list
- Burrow – a hole or tunnel dug by an animal to live in
- Mammal – a warm-blooded animal with fur that usually gives birth to live babies
- Prank – a trick or joke played on someone
- Signals – messages or signs, such as the electric pulses detected by a platypus
- Habitat – the natural home of an animal or plant
- Pollution – dirty or harmful substances in the air, land, or water
- Gracefully – moving in a smooth and elegant way
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Why did scientists at first think the platypus was a joke?
A) It was too small
B) It looked like a mix of animals
C) It could swim backwards
Answer: B) It looked like a mix of animals
2. What makes the platypus unusual for a mammal?
A) It lays eggs
B) It has feathers
C) It can fly
Answer: A) It lays eggs
3. Where do platypuses live?
A) Only in rivers in South America
B) In rivers, lakes, and streams in Australia
C) In the oceans of the world
Answer: B) In rivers, lakes, and streams in Australia
4. What do platypuses use their bills for?
A) To dig tunnels
B) To detect signals in the water
C) To scare other animals
Answer: B) To detect signals in the water
5. How can people help protect the platypus?
A) By keeping rivers and wetlands clean
B) By moving them to new countries
C) By teaching them to live in the ocean
Answer: A) By keeping rivers and wetlands clean
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
