Not random at all, it's all SCIENCE and stuff 
"In 1798, a naturalist called Dobson sent the British Museum a platypus skin. It was the first time that the platypus was first observed by Europeans. It confused the naturalists of the time because it challenged their model of the animal world. In 1800, the platypus was named Ornithorhynchus paradoxus, in view of its confusing nature."
Whole article: http://www.tablelandsway.com.au/news.asp?id=7&pid=21
"In 1798, a naturalist called Dobson sent the British Museum a platypus skin. It was the first time that the platypus was first observed by Europeans. It confused the naturalists of the time because it challenged their model of the animal world. In 1800, the platypus was named Ornithorhynchus paradoxus, in view of its confusing nature." Whole article: http://www.tablelandsway.com.au/news.asp?id=7&pid=21