44 JUNE 2021 DID YOU KNOW? THE PLATYPUS HOW MANY? HOW MANY? HOW MANY? SCIENTISTS THOUGHT THE FIRST KNOWN PLATYPUS WAS A HOAX About 40,000 specialized electroreceptor skin cells on the top and underside of its bill allow them to detect the electric fields generated by all living things. It’s so sensitive that the platypus can hunt with its eyes, ears and nose all closed, relying entirely on the bill’s electrolocation. – reed.edu When the first platypus specimen was sent back to England from Australia in the late 18th century, the scientists who examined it thought it was a hoax. “It naturally excites the idea of some deceptive preparation by artificial means,” zoologist George Shaw wrote in the first scientific description of the platypus, published in 1799. The fact that they lay eggs wasn’t discovered until a century later. – ripleys.com A male platypus’ venom has 83 genes in 13 different families of toxins, linked to effects including inflammation, nerve damage, muscle contraction and blood coagulation. Platypuses make 26 different kinds of serine protease enzymes, which are also found in the venom of most snakes, and seven of their venom genes resemble a neurotoxin produced by spiders called α-latrotoxin. Platypus venom causes nausea, edema, cold sweats and chronic pain (painkillers can’t treat the symptoms and they last several months). – mentalfloss.com Mammals typically have just a single pair of chromosomes that determine sex, but platypuses have five pairs. Some of those Y chromosomes share genes with sex chromosomes found in birds. It’s possible that mammal sex chromosomes and bird sex chromosomes evolved simultaneously, and the platypus could be the key to figuring it out. –sciencedaily.com 83 10 40,000 HOW MANY? When the first platypus specimen was sent back to England from Australia in the late 18th century, the scientists who examined it thought it was a hoax. “It naturally excites the idea of some deceptive preparation by artificial means,” zoologist George Shaw wrote in the first scientific description of the platypus, published in 1799. The fact that they lay eggs wasn’t discovered until a century later. Platypuses make 26 different kinds of serine protease enzymes, which are also found in the venom of most snakes, and seven of their venom genes resemble a neurotoxin produced by spiders called α-latrotoxin. Platypus venom causes nausea, edema, cold sweats and chronic pain (painkillers can’t treat the symptoms and they last several months). – mentalfloss.com 10 10 10 venom of most snakes, and seven of their venom genes resemble a neurotoxin produced by spiders called α-latrotoxin. share genes with sex chromosomes found in birds. It’s possible that mammal sex chromosomes and bird sex Burgers, Dogs, Burritos! Scrumptious Fish & Chips! Best Chicken Nuggets & Tenders! Fresh Breaded Onion Rings! Children’s Menus at All Locations! Drive Thru/Take-Out is Our Specialty! Phone orders taken till 10:00pm Monday thru Saturday. 602-840-0630 20% off any order over $10.00! Offer expires 6/30/21. Valid with coupon only. Present coupon at time of purchase. May not be combined with any other offer. 1 coupon per person. Valid at all 8 locations. No cash value. Coupon cannot be reproduced. 4121 N. 44th St., Phoenix Cash only. ATM on Patio. VOTED BEST LOCAL BURGER IN THE EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE 2020 VOTED BEST SEAFOOD IN THE GLENDALE STAR 2020 VOTED BEST SEAFOOD IN THE EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE 2021 VOTED BEST SEAFOOD IN THE WEST VALLEY VIEW 2021 Serving the Arcadia area since 1958 Find us on Facebook! Member Since 1959 • • • • • 4855 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix AZ 85018 | www.ingleside.com HOSPITAL 602-840-3446 | GROOMING 602-952-1754 Grooming OPEN Tues - Sat To ensure the safety of our clients & staff, we are performing curbside assistance. HEAT STROKE CAN HAPPEN IN MINUTES! KEEP YOUR PETS INSIDE WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 85° BRIAN A. SERBIN, DVM • KATHERINE HEWITT, DVM MOLLY R. KLEIN, DVM • KARISSA SCIACCA, DVM
45 JUNE 2021 DID YOU KNOW? THE PLATYPUS PLATYPUS WORD SEARCH AUSTRALIA BILL BIOFLUORESCENT CARNIVORE CHROMOSOMES COAGULATION EGGS ELECTROLOCATION ENZYME HOAX MAMMAL NEUROTOXIN PLATYPUS ULTRAVIOLET VENOM WATERPROOF WEBBING ZOOLOGIST PLATYPUS FACTS SAY WHAT? S K L M T W U F L J T Q B M A Z O O L O G I S T G B M T N I A M X M Z N G X U Z S Z Q R T U K R I P H U R S J J H R N E C P I F J S S B H T E H S F Z Z J Q J K G P O R X Z S C N J K G A J B Y L G H H T O M J K K I C O A G U L A T I O N Q U G Y E D T O N U I Y F S O F O K U D Q G Y C T G U Q O P W N J I I K U E D H Z H H F Y N U G L B B A K D E N E A X U T R F K L O Z F T L S M I K V X O I J R O C P O Z V K P J H T L U F E F I E X O N N J O C L S X T M N J J W X L M N I O L C Y P C L Q S W W W E J O Z M M C T I A P E M N V O D E V W C W B Y A R H R O G N I B B E W E T M A B I B U S H Q H D T O A U S T R A L I A I R A O Q N A V N J O K Y B E U N E W N E Q A S V I M Y M H K M R A J P L P N R L Y N P A V Y U E A M C L V S Z N V P R Z W O P P F O K C G W R N C A R N I V O R E N H U T A V C R O I J E R U O B L X Z U U U I X U F D A O L L E O I W P J Y M P K T M F K G J P A O E E G G P U P O B C H R O M O S O M E S X B B Y M H W A Q F X P F M A S P K U Z U K E R T G T W Y K I C N W N W H Q R R G J N L K O H E V K Z W Z S J Q Q J N K M Q M K D D G W K X W P J M S U N Q G Q J M K A Z E I C E Z J X M K N C S S G G E B W P B I E Q S P O G H X L C Q N M X C S U P Y T A L P O P Z X S C B J M C V W E L E C T R O L O C A T I O N R W C B B P F N PLATYPUSES GLOW IN THE DARK Platypuses are biofluorescent, meaning their fur glows a bluish- green hue under ultraviolet (UV) light. – nationalgeographic.com They knuckle-walk like gorillas and anteaters. Their eggs are leathery, similar to reptile eggs. Platypuses can live up to 17 years in captivity. They propel themselves through water by paddling their two front limbs. They use gravel as makeshift teeth. The 20-cent coin in Australia has the image of a platypus on it. Until National Geographic published a picture of a platypus in 1939, most of the world had never heard of them. To date, the oldest platypus fossil found is over 100,000 years old. Platypus venom could help scientists create an effective diabetes treatment. The English plural of “platypus” hasn’t been defined. Platypuses only live in a small area in Australia. Platypuses are carnivores. They store their food in special cheek pouches. Platypuses use their tails for carrying objects and nesting their eggs. They also use their tails as fat reserves. Female platypuses don’t have nipples. Platypus milk could combat superbugs. They are egg-laying mammals. Their fur is waterproof. They have retractable webbing. They don’t have stomachs. WHAT? PLATYPUSES GLOW IN THE DARK They propel themselves through water by paddling their two front limbs. published a picture of a platypus in 1939, The English plural of “platypus” hasn’t been defined. Platypus venom could help scientists create an effective diabetes treatment. The English plural of “platypus” hasn’t been defined. Platypuses only live in a small area in Australia. They store their food in special cheek pouches. The English plural of “platypus” hasn’t been defined. Platypuses use their tails for carrying objects and nesting their eggs. They also use their tails as fat reserves. Female platypuses don’t have nipples. Platypus milk could combat superbugs. CREATE THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS *Includes product and labor; bathtub, shower or walk-in tub and wall surround. This promotion cannot be combined with any other offer. Other restrictions may apply. This offer expires June 30, 2021. Each dealership is independently owned and operated. **Third party financing is available for those customers who qualify. See your dealer for details. ©2021 BCI Acrylic Inc. CALL NOW Over 850 Authorized Dealers across North America Factory-Trained & Certified Installers Lifetime Warranty Made in the U.S.A. IN AS LITTLE AS JUST ONE DAY OFFER EXPIRES 6.30.2021 NO PAYMENTS & NO INTEREST FOR 18 MONTHS 855-970-2349 Oversized Shower & Wall System Bathtub & Wall System Tub-Shower Combo $500 OFF OR FOR Military & Senior Discounts Available