2013 Bush Babies, Platypus PNC. The platypus is a fascinating creature and very shy. When it was first seen by English scientists they though it was a hoax. How could an animal live in water and on land, have a duck-like bill, a tail and short squat legs? Since then, scientists have come to accept that this Australian native is very real, although a rarity among creatures-it is one of only two monotremes, or egg laying mammals, in the world, the echidna is the other and is protected in Australia. The name platypus means, flat feet and it describes in part their webbed feet which can be folded away when on land. The platypus is not often seen, being a predominantly nocturnal animal. PNC features $4.65 stamp and commemorative $1 coin.