The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres. It is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The reef supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
The Great Barrier Reef is under threat from climate change, pollution, and other human activities. Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching, a process where corals lose their vibrant colours and may die if the temperature remains high for too long. In recent years, there have been several major bleaching events affecting large portions of the reef.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect this natural wonder. These include reducing pollution, controlling outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (which eat coral), and implementing sustainable tourism practices. Scientists are also researching ways to help corals adapt to warming waters.
The Platypus
The platypus is one of the most unusual animals in the world. It is a mammal, but unlike most mammals, it lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The platypus has a broad, rubbery bill like a duck, webbed feet, and a flat tail like a beaver. Adult male platypuses also have a sharp spur on each hind leg that can deliver venom.
Platypuses live in rivers, creeks, and lakes along the eastern coast of Australia, from Queensland down to Tasmania. They are shy, nocturnal animals, which means they are most active at night and rest during the day. During the day, a platypus rests in a burrow that it digs into the riverbank, often hidden among tree roots or thick plants.
When a platypus hunts for food underwater, it closes its eyes, ears, and nostrils. Instead, it uses special sensors in its bill to detect the tiny electrical signals given off by shrimps, worms, and insect larvae hiding in the mud. Although the platypus is not currently endangered, habitat loss from land clearing and drought is making life harder for this remarkable creature.