It would make more sense if we had an Easter Platypus

Ah, Easter. The holiday when many people ask "Wait, bunnies don't lay eggs. What gives?" Not everyone is a fan of the Easter Bunny, though. In Australia rabbits are a major pest and some have attempted to raise awareness of a local, endangered marsupial called the bilby by offering it as an alternative Easter mascot.




A greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis).


Personally, I think another Australian mammal is a better fit as an Easter mascot. The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a monotreme, or one of the few mammals in the world that lays eggs. I would much prefer an Easter platypus to an Easter bunny, although I don't think my idea will really catch on. (The story of the Easter platypus could make for a good children's book, though.)

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The Easter Platypus? That's a downright weird idea, Brian. But it has possibilities...

By wolfwalker (not verified) on 12 Apr 2009 #permalink

The mental picture of the Easter platypus handing out baskets of worms to school children is simultaneously hilarious and bizarre. I'd love to see it in a comedy sketch!

By Raymond Minton (not verified) on 12 Apr 2009 #permalink

You used "making sense" and "platypus" in the same sentence, I don't think that's legal.

While I'm not particularly attached to the Easter Bunny, I'm not sure about the platypus...somehow, I fell a non-poisonous animal would fit the spirit of a spring celebration better.

'Easter Bilby' seems like a reasonable alternative, if just the one in the video would concentrate less on being cute and more on appearing like it had any idea what it's doing. Plus, another drawback: Bill O'Reilly would likely file a lawsuit, alleging that the whole implausible creature was invented just to make fun of him.

So, after due consideration, I'll have to second 'Easter Iguana'.

By Phillip IV (not verified) on 12 Apr 2009 #permalink

An Easter Echidna is also an option. At least the monotremes still go with the egg theme, but then again the iguana does, too.

In the "Most horrible X-mas ever" episode, invader zim briefly impersonates the Easter Platypus.

An Easter Platypus makes complete sense. In addition to its egg-laying powers, it also has decided theological advantages, since it is both fully duck and fully mammal.

Moth Eyes, I absolutely love your Easter Iguana idea. Reptiles are not represented enough in holiday culture.

I love the idea of a easter platypus as they are cute and cuddly. I wonder how large the population would have to be for there to be companies selling baby platypus?

The platypus is a rotten tempered little bitch that hates people. The echidna is much friendlier, cuter, and lays eggs too.

Though to tell you the truth, neither of them produces more than a rudimentary egg. I mean, a clear capsule baby monotremes eat soon after hatching does not an eggshell make.