Monday 22 June 2009

Platypus puzzle - "Platypuzzle"


In honour of the third programme in David Attenborough's fascinating series of "life stories" here's a platypus puzzle. As I'm sure you're well aware the platypus (meaning "flat footed", or to give it it's correct biological nomenclature "Ornithorhynchus" meaning "bird billed", ta Dave...:) is a werid and wonderful conglomeration... bits of a reptile here, a jigger of mammal there. Platypus suckle their young (although they don't have nipples) like all mammals, are warm blooded (albeit at a lower temperature than most other mammals), have reptilian like reproductive systems producing soft membrane eggs, have reptile like skeletal features, all topped off with an electromagnetic sensing skin covered bill (hammerhead shark...?). Oh, and not to forget a fat reservoir beaver like tail and, amazingly, venomous horned spurs behind each hind limb! A crazy mixed up little chap! You've got till friday to tune in to David Attenborough's reminiscences. I highly recommend it.

16 comments:

Phil Toodle said...

Love the Platypuzzle. I've been following your lead and sketching David's chosen animal each week after the show. I'm planning on putting them all together in to one image.

I love your mantis too, you've got just the right tilt of the head that fits mantids and nuns. One mantis comming up.

damon said...

ha ha nice

Kev Levell said...

Beautifully simple - got that perfect editorial quality to it to. VERY nice indeed. Platypus are mind-bogglingly cool from the wtf point of view so the puzzle motif carried through from the beak is pure genius.

qualia said...

what a lovely idea and so well executed :-)

Eric Barclay said...

I love his show, but his voice relaxes me to the point that I almost always fall asleep on the couch when he's on. Excellent work as always-- wonderful praying mantis as well.

Cathy said...

This is delightful - I love these little critters anyway, and this is a great image!

Neil said...

You may be interested to know the Tanya that David mentions in the platypus life story is now my wife, and in fact his Life of Mammals series was crucial in us rediscovering each other after 17 yrs. I'll try to print your delightful Platypuzzle for our little 2 year old boy, Sam. Plats are his favourite animal of course, along with dinosaurs!

ArtSparker said...

A wonderful bestiary you are making here.

Burt said...

<3 Platypuzzle

Unknown said...

Thank you for your commentary
This illustration is impressive
Very good consepto of a platypus.

felicidades por tus ideas...

Unknown said...

Love the style!! V COOOL design!

Chris Kennett said...

Lovely job! Love that Mantis too.

General Viagra said...

I really love this animal. It has a different characteristics. You can put it in one group because It can be in others at same time.

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Thank you for your commentary
This illustration is impressive

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