When the platypus was first discovered, it was actually
thought to be a made up creation done as either a prank
or just a hoax by Chinese taxidermists
wanting credit for having discovered a potentially new species! The first
documented platypus discovery occurred in 1797 and was sent to England to be
reviewed and studied, where scientists at first believe it was a fake creature
made up of the parts of various other existing animals (duck, beaver, otter,
reptiles). Fossils were soon discovered, however, that proves the platypus to
be its own “genuine creature,” that did not “evolve from a common predecessor.”
(
Source)
The platypus, above all others, poses a unique difficulty for evolutionary
scientists to solve and explain!
This is so interesting! I wonder if there are other animals that when discovered scientists thought to be a hoax. Why would someone create a fake new species? The platypus is such an interesting animal, I can't imagine being the first to discover it and having no idea what it was!
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