Platypus

Platypus

Author: Ann Moyal

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2004-10-29

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 9780801880520

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Eloquent and concise, Platypus uncovers the earliest theories and latest discoveries about this delightfully odd member of the animal kingdom.


Consider the Platypus

Consider the Platypus

Author: Maggie Ryan Sandford

Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal

Published: 2019-08-27

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 0762493631

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*FINALIST FOR THE 2020 GENERAL NONFICTION MINNESOTA BOOK AWARDS* Interested in the origins of the species? Consider the Platypus uses pets such as dogs and cats as well as animal outliers like the axolotl and naked mole rat to wittily tackle mind-bending concepts about how evolution, biology, and genetics work. Consider the Platypus explores the history and features of more than 50 animals to provide insight into our current understanding of evolution. Using Darwin's theory as a springboard, Maggie Ryan Sandford details scientists' initial understanding of the development of creatures and how that has expanded in the wake of genetic sequencing, including the: Peppered Moth, which changed color based on the amount of soot in the London air; California Two-Spotted Octopus, which has the amazing ability to alter its DNA/RNA not over generations but during its lifetime; miniscule tardigrade, which is so hearty it can withstand radiation, lack of water and oxygen, and temperatures as low as -328°F and as high 304 °F; and, of course, the platypus, which has so many disparate features, from a duck's bill to venomous spur to mammary patches, that scientists originally thought it was a hoax. Surprising, witty, and impeccably researched, Sandford describes each animal's significant features and how these have adapted to its environment, such as the zebra finch's beak shape, which was observed by Charles Darwin and is a cornerstone of his Theory of Evolution. With scientifically accurate but charming art by Rodica Prato, Consider the Platypus showcases species as diverse as the sloth, honey bee, cow, brown kiwi, and lungfish, to name a few, to tackle intimidating concepts is a accessible way.


Platypus Matters

Platypus Matters

Author: Jack Ashby

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2022-08-04

Total Pages: 396

ISBN-13: 022678925X

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"Naturalist and Assistant Director of the Museum of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, Jack Ashby shares his love for the platypus and other Australian mammals, including wombats, echidnas, and kangaroos. Informed by stories of his experiences meeting living marsupials and egg-laying mammals on fieldwork in Tasmania and mainland Australia and his close contact with thousands of zoological specimens collected for museums over the last 200 years, Ashby's book explains historical mysteries and debunks myths about these mammals and especially the platypus-which lays eggs, feeds its young on milk, has venom spurs, and sports a bill that can detect electricity. In evaluating how humans have considered these special mammals, he makes clear that calling these animals "weird" or "primitive"- or incorrectly implying that Australia is an "evolutionary backwater"-has only added to the challenges for their conservation. One outcome of these descriptions is that Australia now has the worst mammal extinction rate of anywhere on Earth. Ashby argues that many of the ways that the world thinks about Australia's mammals can be traced back to the country's colonial history"--


Platypus

Platypus

Author: Chris Riddell

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13: 9780140567779

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Platypus decides it's the perfect day to go collecting. He finds a big rock, an old shoe and a broken umbrella, but none of these are quite what he's looking for. Then he finds a curly shell - just right But it keeps going missing from his special box. The 'thief' turns out to be a little hermit crab living inside the shell so Platypus takes it back to the sea where it belongs. Luckily there are plenty of unoccupied shells for Platypus to collect - and keep.


Paddy the Platypus

Paddy the Platypus

Author: Patricia Harris

Publisher:

Published: 2020-09-10

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13: 9781622889099

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When Paddy the Platypus leaves his home to find new friends, he is shocked to find that the other animals don't want to play with him. A beaver, an otter, and a family of ducks each poke fun at Paddy because he looks so odd. But when a baby bird falls from its nest and Paddy catches it with his soft snout, the other animals realize Paddy's differences are what make him so special. Paddy the Platypus is written in couplets, including a deliberate repetition of key phrases that young children can easily remember. The book is beautifully illustrated by Tristan Brewster-Arnold.


Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . .

Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . .

Author: Thomas Cathcart

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2008-06-24

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1440634238

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This New York Times bestseller is the hilarious philosophy course everyone wishes they’d had in school. Outrageously funny, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar... has been a breakout bestseller ever since authors—and born vaudevillians—Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein did their schtick on NPR’s Weekend Edition. Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar... is a not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical thinkers and traditions, from Existentialism (What do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?) to Logic (Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything). Philosophy 101 for those who like to take the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to read—and finally, it all makes sense! And now, you can read Daniel Klein's further musings on life and philosophy in Travels with Epicurus and Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change it.


The Platypus and the Birthday Party

The Platypus and the Birthday Party

Author: Chris Riddell

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 24

ISBN-13: 9780140567793

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Platypus wants Bruce's birthday party to be as special as possible. With a little help from his friend Echidna, he makes party hats, a beautiful cake and decorations and it turns out to be a day to remember.


Platypus

Platypus

Author: Elizabeth Parer-Cook

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9780987328915

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The Platypus

The Platypus

Author: Tom Grant

Publisher: UNSW Press

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13: 9780868401430

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Along with the kangaroos, the platypus is totally identified with Australia, and no other living animal has intrigues and fascinated the layperson and the scientist to quite the same degree. This book confines itself to the know facts rather than to the myths and legends with surround this beautiful, secretive and shy creature. In a clear narrative style assisted by superb illustrations, The Platypus takes us through the four seasons in the life of a platypus, describing for us what they eat, where they live, how they reproduce and how they are adapted for survival in an environment that is periodically ravaged by floods and droughts. This third edition of The Platypus has been thoroughly revised and re-designed enabling the reader to be fully up-to-date on the latest research findings about this unique Australian creature.


Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked

Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked

Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2013-05-07

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 0062071653

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Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked is the first in a series of zany, action-packed middle grade mysteries featuring platypus police detectives Rick Zengo and Corey O’Malley. When a call comes in about a crime down at the docks involving a missing schoolteacher and a duffle bag full of illegal fish, Zengo and O’Malley are going to have to learn to set their differences aside if they want to get to the bottom of this. Especially when the clues all point to Frank Pandini Jr., Kallamazoo’s first son and its most powerful, well-respected businessman. Fans of Adam Rex, Jon Scieszka, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s own Lunch Lady graphic novels will flip for Jarrett’s series of funny illustrated Platypus Police Squad middle grade novels!