Obdurodon tharalkooschild facts for kids

Obdurodon tharalkooschild was an extinct type of platypus that lived long ago. We know about it from just one tooth that was found! This special tooth was discovered in the Miocene fossil beds at Riversleigh in Queensland, Australia. Riversleigh is a famous place where many ancient animal fossils have been found.

What Was Obdurodon Tharalkooschild?

Obdurodon tharalkooschild was a very old relative of the platypus we know today. It belonged to a group of ancient platypuses called Obdurodon. Unlike the modern platypus, which has no teeth as an adult, Obdurodon tharalkooschild had strong teeth.

When and Where Did It Live?

This ancient platypus lived during a time called the Miocene epoch. This was about 5 to 15 million years ago! It roamed the lands and waters of what is now Queensland, Australia.

How Do We Know About It?

The only clue we have about Obdurodon tharalkooschild is a single tooth. This tooth was found in 2012 by a team of scientists from the University of New South Wales. The team included famous paleontologists like Mike Archer, Suzanne Hand, and Rebecca Pian. Finding just one tooth can tell scientists a lot about an animal!

What Was It Like?

Scientists have learned some amazing things about Obdurodon tharalkooschild just by studying its tooth.

Its Diet and Size

The way the tooth was worn down shows that this platypus probably crushed hard things to eat. Scientists think it might have eaten creatures with hard shells, like turtles. This means Obdurodon tharalkooschild was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. It was also much bigger than today's platypus, possibly twice its size, reaching about one meter long!

How Did It Get Its Name?

The name tharalkooschild was chosen to honor an Indigenous Australian creation story about the platypus. In this story, a duck named Tharalkoo and a water-rat are part of the platypus's origin. It's a way to connect this ancient animal to the rich cultural history of Australia.