| The Platypus Of Casino The platypus is rarely seen swimming in the Richmond River that passes through Casino, but when it is, it is beautiful sight, with the adult male being 50 to 60 centimetres long and the adult female being 40 to 50 centimetres long. The platypus has a flattened body covered with dense, short, fine hairs. Usually the hairs are dark brown on the back and much paler on the belly. There is practically no neck. The tail is broad and flat. It is covered with coarse hair, which is usually worn off on the under surface. From this description you would think that the Platypus is not much to look at, well you are wrong the Platypus is described as a shy creature, that is very slick and handsome in appearance. People will even go as far to say that the platypus is “cute”. The platypus is a strange creature because it looks something like a beaver crossed with a duck. With it’s webbed feet and duckbilled nose the platypus makes a unique and wonderful creature.  PLATYPUS POOL Wild platypus have set up a colony along the stretch of the river from the “Big Hole” to the railway bridge. There have been many sightings of the platypus especially around the Manyweathers Weir and along the shallows but as they are completely wild it is not known where they will be at any given time or that they will be seen at all. A lot depends on the time of year, weather conditions, and the condition of the river at the time. The area is also highly populated with many species of water birds and many frill-necked lizards have been know to ‘beg’ for food from visitors in the parks on both sides of the river. |
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