Author(s): Sue Whiting; Mark Jackson (Illustrator)

Nature

Meet the puzzling platypus A lively narrative and engaging illustrations follow a fascinating creature that defies categorization.

There it is, a giant duckbill emerging from a burrow. But this animal has fur -- and walks low to the ground, with claws and a wide, flat tail like a beaver. When it swims, it looks like a miniature crocodile, and when faced with threats, it keeps its snakelike venom at the ready. And did you know that the female platypus lays eggs? Follow a most unusual mammal as it leaves its home and travels through the night, gliding past wallabies and evading a hungry fox -- hurrying, scurrying, always busy, always looking for a meal