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Does man hunt for platypus fur?
Man used to hunt the platypus for its fur, but does not any longer. Platypuses are protected by law, and it is illegal to hunt them or capture them. Due to hunting, their numbers had dropped to alarmingly low levels by the early 20th century, but bringing in laws to protect them certainly saved the platypus.
Why did they hunt the platypus?
Platypuses were originally hunted for their velvety pelts.
How does the platypus carry its young?
The platypus does not carry its young. The young platypuses remain in the chamber, deep in the mother's burrow, until they are ready to learn to hunt.
Does a platypus swim?
Yes. Platypuses spend most of their waking hours in the water, diving and swimming as they hunt for food.
Did the thylacine hunt platypus?
Very little is known about the Thylacine's hunting habits. They were known to hunt a variety of mammals, but the platypus may well have been too elusive, spending much of its waking time in the water. Nor would Thylacines have been able to enter the platypuses' small burrows.
When does a platypus eat?
Platypuses forage almost constantly in the evening and at dawn and, being nocturnal, continue to hunt throughout the night.
What does a platypus do in autumn?
The platypus's general behaviour in Autumn is no different from its behaviour during the eat of the year. As Australian winters in platypus territory are not characterised by snowfall or rivers icing up, the platypus will continue to hunt normally in its freshwater habitat throughout the year. The only change to the platypus's behaviour in Autumn might be that the female is still rearing her young. The platypus's breeding season is spring and summer, from about September through to February, sometimes extending to March, which is the first month of Autumn.
Why did people hunt platypus fur?
The platypus was hunted for its fur because the fur is velvety and completely unique. While man used to hunt the platypus for its fur, he may not any longer. Platypuses are protected by law, and it is illegal to hunt them or capture them. Due to hunting, their numbers had dropped to alarmingly low levels by the early 20th century, but bringing in laws to protect them certainly saved the platypus.
Why is a platypus's fur waterproof?
The platypus's fur is waterproof because, as a semi-aquatic mammal, it still needs its fur to keep it warm. If both layers of its fur were constantly saturated, the platypus's body temperature would drop too low. Further, the platypus must make hundreds of dives daily to hunt enough food to eat. If its fur became waterlogged, it would not be able to swim as easily and agilely, because it would be weighed down by the extra mass of the water. It would therefore not be able to hunt as effectively.
Why is a platypus semi-aquatic?
The platypus is semi-aquatic because, although it must live and shelter on dry land, it needs to hunt for its food in creeks and rivers. Platypuses cannot breathe underwater; nor can they search for food on land.
What animals hunt the platypus?
There are not many animals in the wild that hunt platypuses, because platypuses mainly swim underwater and live in hidden shelters, from tropical north regions to the sub-alpine areas of southern Australia. Red foxes prey on younger platypuses, and feral cats are another platypus predator. Natural predators of the platypus include snakes, water rats, goannas, spotted quolls, eels, hawks, owls and eagles. 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 eat platypuses.
Can a Tasmanian devil kill a platypus?
Yes. Tasmanian devils are both predators and scavengers. Among other things, they hunt mammals up to the size of a wallaby. As the platypus is quite a small mammal, it could certainly be killed and eaten by a Tasmanian devil.
