Platypuses have been called the strangest animal on earth, but is it true? Discover this amazing creature with its duck-like bill, beaver-like tail, otter-like webbed feet, reptile-like claws, snake-like venom, and that lays eggs like a turtle!

Here’s our trail map:

• Why Does a Platypus Lay Eggs?
• How Is a Platypus Venomous?
• Why Do Platypus Have a Bill?
• What Does Scripture Say About Being Different?

Eryn's Books:

• The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
• Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
• 936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

• Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/
• Save 10% with code NATURE at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/
• Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videos
• Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
• Free Platypus Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-does-a-platypus-lay-eggs/
• Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask
• A great book for learning about God’s designs in creature: God Made Animals by Generations Ministries

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“How many are your works, Lord!

    In wisdom you made them all;

    the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24 (NIV)

“Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NCV)

“I have given them your teaching. And the world has hated them, because they don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world but to keep them safe from the Evil One. They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world.” John 17:14-16 (NCV)

“Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other, which will bring glory to God.” Romans 15:7 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

• Mammal: A group of animals that have hair or fur, are warm-blooded, have a backbone, (most) have live births, and feed their babies with milk from their bodies.
• Monotremes: A small group (order) of mammals that lay eggs instead of having live births. Monotremes include the duck-billed platypus and four types of echidnas.
• Platypus Spur: A spike on the insides of a male platypus’s ankles that injects venom into an opponent.
• Crural Gland: A pocket inside the male platypus’s thigh that, during mating season, produces venom that the male platypus injects through the spur on its ankle when battling other male platypuses. 
• Carnivore: A creature that only eats meat from other creatures, not plants.
• Mechanoreceptors: Tiny sensors on a platypus’s bill that help it feel movement and pressure changes under the water.
• Electroreceptors: Tiny sensors on a platypus’s bill that help it feel electrical charges from nearby creatures.

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