Cultural aspect and background information
The platypus is an important cultural symbol in Australian. There are three examples, which show the role of the platypus in Australia:
1) The platypus is the symbol of the Australian 20 cent coin
2) The platypus is often used as Australian mascot, for example: at the Olympics in Sydney.
3) There’s an Aboriginal myth about the origin of the platypus.
Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the platypus was a popular hunted species due his soft fur and waterproof skin. Because of this, the platypus became an endangered species. Nowadays, platypuses are protected in their whole area of distribution.