Platypus is interesting creatures that are often seen as unique pets. They are popular in Australia and sometimes kept as exotic pets in the United States. Hence, you might be curious about keeping one as a pet.
Can You Have a Platypus as a Pet
Platypus is not commonly kept as pets because they are venomous, difficult to care for, and illegal to own in some states. They can be dangerous if not handled properly and their diet is very specific. In addition, the platypus is a wild animal and does not do well in captivity.
Platypuses are not easy to care for and require a specialized diet and habitat. They are also very sensitive to changes in their environment and can get sick easily. As a result, platypuses are not recommended as pets for most people.
Male platypuses have a potent weapon in the form of spurs on their hind legs that connect to a venom gland. When competing for females, male platypuses use their venom against predators or other males.
What Is Actually a Platypus?
Platypuses are semi-aquatic animals, meaning they spend part of their time in water and part of their time on land. In the wild, they are found in rivers and streams in eastern Australia. They have a unique appearance, with a beak like a duck, fur like an otter, and a tail like a beaver.
The diet of a platypus in the wild consists of invertebrates and small fish. They also require clean water to live, which can be threatened by their hoarding habits if decay sets it. Platypuses are predators that rely on seeing movement to know when to strike, similar to how many other predators function.
They are often called puggles, and baby platypuses that develop from eggs suckle their mother after hatching. Despite the fact that female monotremes lack nipples, they secrete milk through pores in the skin to feed their young.
A male adult platypus is around 20 inches long, including his roughly 5-inch tail, and weighs about 3 pounds. Adult female platypuses are generally smaller than males, measuring around 17 inches in length on average.
How Much Does a Platypus Cost?
Platypuses are also very expensive, costing upwards of $5,000. In addition to the initial purchase price, you will also need to factor in the cost of food, housing, and veterinary care.
Before you purchase a platypus, be sure to do your research and make sure you are prepared to provide the proper care. Platypuses are not suitable for everyone, but if you are willing to put in the time and effort, they can make great pets.
Do Platypuses Attack?
Actually, they tend to be shy around humans but have been known to attack if they feel threatened. Platypus venom is not deadly to humans, but it can cause significant pain.
They typically sleep during the day and are active at night, so you may not see much of your platypus if you keep him as a pet.
While platypuses are not aggressive by nature, they can be dangerous if they feel threatened. If you are considering keeping one as a pet, be sure to do your research and consult with a veterinarian.
How Long Does a Platypus Live?
In the wild, platypuses typically live for about 10-12 years. In captivity, they can live for up to 20 years with proper care.
Do Platypuses Glow in the Dark?
Because of a phenomenon known as biofluorescence, platypuses glisten. Biofluorescence occurs when an animal absorbs short wavelengths of light — such as from the sun or another light source — and then re-emits them as longer waves of radiation. Bioluminescence is not the same thing.