platypus

This is so cool and so incredibly random! It turns out, if you were to place a platypus under a blacklight, they would glow! What other amazing secrets are these creatures hiding from us?

Noted in the journal Mammalia, "shining an ultraviolet light on a platypus makes the animal's fur fluoresce with a greenish-blue tint. They're one of the few mammals known to exhibit this trait. And we're still in the dark about why they do it — if there is a reason at all."

Other animals that have exhibited this interesting trait are scorpions, lichens, puffin beaks, and believe it or not, North American flying squirrels glow bubble pink under UV light. Blue light, just a notch away from ultraviolet, turns our oceans into what looks like an indoor mini-golf course! It's also what causes multiple types of amphibians to glow green. 

Nature is lit. 

Story via The New York Times

Or "Shoebill" dog. Get it? Because of the giant beak and the name has 'shoe' in it... nevermind. 

This new breed of dog isn't as rare as you think! You've probably had even seen the magnificent dog-platypus hybrid and didn't even realize it! We should all be on the lookout from now on for these beauties. They are undeniably a work of art and anyone who says differently can still do so because we all have individual thoughts and freedom of speech.

But you're wrong. 

Enjoy some footage of the newest dog breed! 

We scoured the internet to bring you the cutest animal pictures and gifs of the week! Bringing you cuteness every week - stay tuned for next week's dose! If you missed last week's dose, and you need a cuteness overload, check out last week's here.