In Splash the Platypus, Splash and the other platypuses learn that it can be useful to be a little bit different. Platypuses are egg-laying m ammals called monotremes. They live in burrows beside creeks and waterho les and have thick, waterproof fur that keeps them warm when they hunt f or food under water. About the Author: Rebec ca Johnson is an award-winning primary school science teacher and has wr itten more than 60 books for children.