answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Platypuses hide by digging burrows into a riverbank or creek bank. The entrance is usually disguised by overhang from the riverbank, or by tree roots and/or other vegetation. They are difficult to see, which is precisely what the platypus wants.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

The platypus does not actively employ camouflage, but its natural colouring allows it to blend in with its surroundings. It is brown in colour, with more yellowish fur on its underbelly. It naturally camouflages in with the colour of the water in which it swims and the bushland around its riverbank burrow, but it is unable to change its colour to match its surroundings.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

Yes. Platypuses hide by digging burrows into a riverbank or creek bank. The entrance is usually disguised by overhang from the riverbank, or by tree roots and/or other vegetation. They are difficult to see, which is precisely what the platypus wants. They also hide if they sense a predator outside while they are swimming underwater. They will lie motionless for up to 8-10 minutes, holding their breath.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Male Platypuses have ankle spurs on their hind legs through which they can dispense venom composed largely of defensin-like proteins (DLPs), unique to the Platypus. This venom is powerful enough to kill smaller animals, and to cause agonising pain to humans.

Platypuses also dig burrows into riverbanks. These burrows are only large enough for smaller predators to enter, but they do not provide protection from snakes.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

Platypuses do not actively seek to attack their predators. They will hide first, but if threatened, the male will inject poison into the predator, using the spur on his hind ankle.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Do platypus attack their predators
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What would attack a platypus egg?

Lizards such as goannas are the most likely predators of platypus eggs.


Does the platypus attack or defend?

The platypus is a shy and solitary animal which only defends itself, never initiating an attack.


Why is Australia the ideal environment for platypuses?

Australia is ideal for the platypus because there are few natural predators. Apart from pythons, most predators of the platypus are introduced species.


What protects a female platypus from its predators?

The only thing a female platypus can do to protect herself from platypus is to use her effective hiding strategies. The entrance to a platypus's burrow is disguised by tree roots or overhanging riverbanks, and a breeding female will create several earthen plugs along the length of her burrow to deter predators.


Why is the platypus the prey of so many animals?

It isn't. The platypus has few natural predators in Australia. Natural predators of the platypus may include snakes, water rats, goannas, spotted quolls, eels, hawks, owls and eagles. This is no more than the average number of predators for any secondary consumer. In the north of its range, dingoes are another predator. Lower platypus numbers in far northern Australia are possibly due to predation by crocodiles. On occasion, large freshwater eels (which may be twice the length of a platypus) have been thought to take platypuses.


What eats platypus eggs?

Pythons and goannas eat platypus eggs. The female platypus will actually place earthen plugs along the length of her burrow before the chamber which holds the eggs, in order to deter such predators.


How do a platypus protects its self from its enemies?

It hides; or it has a poisoned spike on its heel that it can attack with. Other than that, it's just a platypus - they don't do much.


What animals smaller than a platypus does it like to eat?

Pythons and goannas eat platypus eggs. The female platypus will actually place earthen plugs along the length of her burrow before the chamber which holds the eggs, in order to deter such predators.


What can Zebras do when the prey comes to attack them?

Predators attack, prey tries to escape.


What is the function of the convoluted tubles?

To attack predators.


What do red foxes do when they see a predators?

they attack them


What special features does the male platypus have to protect itself from predators?

The male platypus has a poison spur in its hind legs which can kill small animals, and injure ones larger than itself.