Duck-billed Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

The duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is an egg-laying mammal endemic to Australia. The platypus lives near rivers and is an excellent swimmer, spending much of its day in the water foraging for food. The platypus feeds on freshwater invertebrates, including insect larvae, annelid worms, shrimps, and crayfish.

The duck-billed platypus is one of five species in the order Monotremata. Monotremes are mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The eggs of monotremes are similar to those of reptiles.

The duck-billed platypus is one of only a handful of venomous mammals. The platypus has a calcaneus spur on its hind foot, and on the male this spur can deliver venom composed largely of defensin-like proteins. While the venom can kill smaller animals, including dogs, it is not lethal to a human; however the pain associated with envenomation can be excruciating. Only the male platypus produces venom and venom production increases during breeding season, suggesting that its primary function is related to breeding activities. The platypus has a single breeding season each year; with mating usually occurring between June and October.

1880 Tasmanian Duty Stamps – Duck-billed Platypus

The duck-billed platypus(Ornithorhynchus anatinus) has appeared on several Australian postage stamps. First, in 1880 on Tasmanian duty stamps, then in 1937 on the 9d Australian stamp, and again in 1959 on a one shilling Australian Wildlife Definitive. In 1986 the platypus was featured on 36c/50c/$1.00 Australian FRAMA stamps, and on a 36c Australian Wildlife Definitive, and again in 1993 on a 40c Australian Wildlife Definitive and in 1997 on a 45 cent Australian stamp, in the Creatures in the Night series. The platypus was also shown on a 1999 aerogramme. In 2006, the duck-billed platypus was shown on both a 5 cent Australian stamp and a $4.65 Australian stamp. The latter shows a young platypus and is in the Australian Bush Babies stamp series.

1937 9d Australian stamp – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

1959 one shilling Australian stamp – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

1986 AUSTRALIA FRAMA STAMPS 36c 50c $1.00 – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

1986 AUSTRALIA 36c Platypus Stamp – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

1993 AUSTRALIA 40c Wildlife Definitive (SG#1363) – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

1997 AUSTRALIA 45c CREATURES OF THE NIGHT-MAXI CARD – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

1999 AUSTRALIA Aerogramme – PLATYPUS\WILD RIVERS NATIONAL PARK- duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

2006 AUSTRALIA 5c International Postage Stamp – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

2006 AUSTRALIA $4.65 International Postage Stamp – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

The duck-billed platypus is an iconic symbol of Australia, but has also been featured on the postage stamps of other countries, including Laos, Mali, Benin, Hungary and Grenada.

Laos Ausipex 84 Postage Stamps – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Mali Souvenir Sheet – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Benin Souvenir Sheet – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

2000 Hungary Souvenir Sheet – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

GRENADA 1988 SYDPEX DISNEY STAMPS – duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

There are also other non-postage stamps (referred to as “Cinderella” stamps) that feature the duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Below are a few examples: