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The original was posted on /r/todayilearned by /u/AdorableConfusion129 on 2025-07-11 00:57:13+00:00.

Original Title: TIL that when the first platypus specimen was sent to England in 1799, British scientists believed it was an elaborate hoax and even tried to pry its duck-like bill off, convinced someone had stitched it on.