A fasination of these curious creatures goes back hundreds of years, from when Captain Cook first brought back specimens from Australia to Europe in the 18th century. Scientists were convinced that it was a hoax. The platypus upset the balance of understanding. It seemed to be a freak of nature. One English naturalist was so puzzled that his only explanation was that 'only promiscuous intercourse between the different sexes of all these animals could possibly have produced such a creature.'

People believed (and many still believe) that the natural world was created by God in one mighty act. All creatures of this world seemed to follow a logical 'chain of being'. People were anxious to solve the riddle of the platypus and where it fit in to the chain.*

As Kevin Smith simply stated -
'remember: even God has a sense of humour.
Just look at the Platypus.'**

Well, Noble and his family are part of that ideology. Popular Culture really can churn out some interesting kinds of characters. Why not use this silly creature to celebrate all these oddities and stereotypes that flood our life experiences.

Here are a few useful tidbits that you may need to know in order to understand the species-specific references mentioned in a few of the profile stories.

· The platypus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting small streams and rivers over an extensive range of terrain in Australia.

· Like the echidna, the platypus is a MONOTREME, which means it is a mammal that lay eggs instead of having a live birth.

· It is one of only a very select few mammals that produce VENOM.

· The male platypus has a SPUR on the hind foot that delivers this poisonous venom capable of causing severe pain to humans.

· The platypus is carnivorous: it feeds on annelid worms and insect larvae, freshwater shrimps, and yabbies (freshwater crayfish).

· The platypus is mostly nocturnal and crepuscular (twilight) but are known to be active during the day, preferrably when it is overcast.***