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Platypuses have few predators in the wild, because they mainly hunt underwater and live in hidden shelters, from tropical north regions to the sub-alpine areas of southern Australia.
The introduction of red foxes as a predator for rabbits may have had some impact on platypus numbers on the mainland. Feral cats are another platypus predator, but the platypus's principal enemies are humans. Humans used to hunt them for their fur, but they are now protected. The danger is now not from hunting, but from destruction of their environment. Also, the use of fishing nets in freshwater creeks and rivers resulted in large numbers being drowned, but this practice has been banned. So, technically, man is not the platypus's predator because he does not eat it, but he is a threat to the platypus. The platypuses were and are affected by man but not eaten by him.
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 take platypuses.
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What would attack a platypus egg?
Lizards such as goannas are the most likely predators of platypus eggs.
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.
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 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.
What special features does the female platypus have to protect itself from predators?
The female platypus has no special features to protect itself from predators. The male, however, has a venonous spur on its hind leg. This spur is capable of injecting a powerful venom that causes agonising, paralysing pain to larger animals, and kills small animals.
Is the platypus a prey?
The platypus is both predator and prey. While it is true that platypuses have few predators in the wild, because they mainly hunt underwater and live in hidden shelters, their greatest danger comes from introduced animals. 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 eels (which may be twice the length of a platypus) have been thought to take platypuses. The introduction of red foxes as a predator for rabbits may have had some impact on platypus numbers on the mainland. Feral cats are another platypus predator, but the platypus's principal enemies are humans.
Does the platypus defend its young?
The platypus has limited defence available, but will certainly defend its young in whatever way it can. When the mother leaves the chamber to find food, she leaves a "plug" of twigs and leaves in the entrance to deter would-be predators.
Why are platypuses native to Australia?
One of the reasons why platypuses are found only in Australia is likely to be because of the lack of predators in Australia. Introduced predators such as foxes and environmental changes brought by Man have caused more damage to the platypus population than the few native predators. With the exception of Antarctica, which remains largely uninhabitable, Australia was the last continent to be settled by Europeans, so the platypus has been able to thrive here.
What animals have the platypus as prey?
Introduced animals such as red foxes, dogs and feral cats prey on the platypus. 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 take platypuses.
