Thread: Platypus..........

Originally Posted by warren9981

Is that Platypus or should it be Platypi

There is no plural for Platypus. Whether referring to singular or plural it is Platypus.


Cheers
JLo

A few years back, my parents had the dry cleaners' business in Tumut. Whenever I went there on holidays, I used to go down to a spot on the river bank behind the racecourse for a bit of fishing most mornings.

I often saw platypus swimming past in the current in the early mornings - the river there was always very fast flowing (and cold - wouldn't want to fall in). The platypus seemed to be enjoying themselves rolling around and playing in the fast moving (and quite deep) water.

Like others though - I was never fast enough with a camera.

But it was always a pleasure to see them.

I guess that I am luckier than most as I have studied and trapped them (under license). Great creature.

They are reclaiming some of their old habitat closer to human settlement around Sydney too.

Cheers
JLo

Originally Posted by JLo

There is no plural for Platypus. Whether referring to singular or plural it is Platypus.


Cheers
JLo

a bit like fish?

platypii is legit - if you are describing historic multiple species in the one genus... and given there is currently only one known to be swimming around, chances are I'm being pedantic, but you never know!

Great little creatures they are. In the river near where I live there are number of them. Have been paddling kayaks on this river for 17 years and the most platypus we counted on a 5k stretch of river one morning was 13. Not as many around these days though. They are actually quite small too, although the male is larger and has a reasonable range in order to serve all of the females he can.

Thanks for all of your responses, this latest one doesn't seem as timid as the original two. I'll try again to get some pictures and post them up, but it is difficult.

Mrs. Ho Har you'll have to come for a drive at Mount Mee Forest one sunday, and then stop off on the way back to see if he's about, normally 5.30 pm onwards

Never managed to see one in the wild, figure I've heard them or just missed seeing, but never managed to lay my eyes on one.

Platypus/Platipii - no doubt Ron will be along to enlighten us, something to do with Greek or Latin origins. A Platypus however is very much an aussie so maybe neither are applicable



Martyn

G'day Folks

When I was at primary school in the 1950's and we were doing Australian native animals and birds we were taught that Platypus was the singular and and Platypi the plural, why do I remember this?? it was set as homework, and the "Smart Kid" in the class got it wrong, got the cane, and his old lady kicked up an awful fuss

It is amazing how children remember things,even if they are now 65+


cheers