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Not at all. The platypus, though shy and elusive and rarely seen in the wild, has a conservation status of "Least Concern".
Platypuses suffered a dangerous decline in numbers during the early part of the 20th century when they were hunted for their velvety pelts. Government legislation now protects the platypus, and their numbers have seen a resurgence. The wild platypus population is now believed to be approximately the same as it was prior to European settlement.
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Does a platypus have fur?
Yes. The fur of a platypus is dense and waterproof. At one stage, platypuses were hunted to near-extinction for their fur.
Why did people want platypus pelts?
The fur of a platypus is thick and velvety, so their pelts were prized for their softness and warmth. The high demand for the platypus pelts led to the animal's near-extinction. It was only when the Australian government placed the platypus under protection that hunting stopped.
Can a squirrel eat a platypus?
No that is not possible.
Why is the platypus protected by Australia's government?
Early in the twentieth century, the platypus was under severe threat as it was highly valued for its velvety pelt. All Australian native animals are now protected by law, and in the case of the platypus, this action brought it back from certain extinction.
Which is a possible explanation for mass extinction?
Global whining
Did Platypuses evolve?
No. The platypus has always been a platypus. It is not derived from the beaver, otter, duck or any other animal. There is no actual evidence of evolution in the platypus's line. Fossils of possible platypus ancestors indicate that, if it did indeed have other ancestors, they shared the same characteristics the modern platypus has today.
Is the platypus almost extinct?
No. The platypus is neither "almost extinct", nor "endangered". It is one of the few Australian animals which has made a remarkable comeback from near-extinction early in the twentieth century, to reach around the same population as it had prior to European settlement.
What did platypuses evolve from?
Platypuses did not evolve. The platypus has always been a platypus. It is not derived from the beaver, otter, duck or any other animal. There is no actual evidence of evolution in the platypus's line. Fossils of possible platypus ancestors indicate that, if it did indeed have other ancestors, they shared the same characteristics the modern platypus has today.
Are platypuses increasing or decreasing in numbers?
Neither. While the platypus was once close to extinction, given that it was highly prized for its fur, since legislation wa enacted to protect it, its population has returned to approximately the same figure as it was prior to European settlement. No accurate figures are available for platypus numbers, but evidence suggests that platypus numbers are currently steady.
Do human and platypus have relationships?
No. Platypuses avoid contact with humans as much as possible.
How did the endangered platypus recover?
There was a time when the platypus was under threat, being particularly prized for its fur years ago. In the past it came closer to extinction but it now has protection by law in the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1974 (from hunters and fishermen), and the population has grown back to a healthy size.
Why can you not hunt platypuses?
As native animals of Australia, the platypus is, quite simply, protected by law. The platypus faced near-extinction by the early twentieth century because their pelts were in great demand in the USA. They can now no longer be legally hunted, and the protection afforded by the law has enabled the species to repopulate.
