The Duck Billed Platypus is unique in the world and native to Australia. Along with the Echidna, it is grouped in a separate order of mammals known as monotremes which are distinguished from other mammals because they lay eggs. They are found within freshwater systems from Far North Queensland to the Australian Alps, and into Tasmania. Semi-aquatic, with eyes closed and using it’s broad flat tail and webbed limbs, it is an efficient swimmer. The distinctive ‘duck bill’ is used to shovel through the mud to catch its prey, and as it has no teeth - it picks up gravel to grind its food. It was once hunted to near extinction due to its highly prized fur. However, in 1974 the Australian Government declared it as protected and numbers have repopulated. More recently, fishing with nets in freshwater rivers and creeks is now illegal due to the high occurrence of platypus being caught inadvertently in the past. 

This piece forms part of a themed collection that is focused on protected, threatened, and endangered Australian species. Through the expansion of European settlement, many species have been displaced by human encroachment, changing fire patterns, victims of predation, or have been exposed to disease. Raising awareness remains as the most significant challenge in the effort to reduce these possible outcomes. These represent the absence of the existence of wildlife in their natural environments.

This series has specifically utilised heat, flame, and soot to achieve the varying golden browns and charcoal greys present in the finished artwork.