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Platypuses, like all animals, are up against some dangers that threaten their survival.
Platypuses have few natural 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 eels have been thought to take platypuses, which may be only half the length of a freshwater eel.
Another threat to the platypus is flooding. Young platypuses may be washed out of their burrows when floodwaters come, and few of these survive.
Tasmanian platypuses are subject to platypus fungal disease, or Mucormycosis. This fungal disease causes ugly skin lesions or ulcers to develop on various parts of the platypus's body, including their backs, tails and legs. These lesions become quite large, and are ultimately fatal. Death comes from secondary infection, and from the fact that the platypus's ability to maintain body temperature and forage efficiently for food is affected. It's not yet known how the disease spreads from platypus to platypus, but the mainland creatures are not affected.
What else can I help you with?
Are there any dangers where a platypuses gets water?
Platypuses spend most of their waking hours hunting in water, and this can pose dangers. In the far northeast, freshwater crocodiles have been known to take platypuses. Although the use of fishing nets in creeks and rivers is illegal, these nets have in the past resulted in large numbers of platypus deaths. Being mammals, platypuses must come to the surface to breathe regularly, but when they become entangled in fishing nets, they cannot swim to the surface.
Does America have platypuses?
No. America does not have platypuses. Platypuses are endemic to eastern Australia.
How do you spell platypuses?
Platypuses is the correct spelling.
How were platypuses invented?
Platypuses were not invented. They were discovered by someone.
Where do platypuses come from?
Platypuses are found only in Australia.
Are platypuses herbivores or omnivores?
Platypuses are considered carnivores.
When do platypuses come out?
Platypuses are nocturnal. They come out at night.
Are PLATYPUSES born alive?
Are PLATYPUSES born alive?
Do platypuses get lonely?
No. By nature, platypuses are solitary animals.
Do platypuses have hair or fur?
Platypuses have dense fur.
Where do platypuses mate?
Platypuses mate on land, not in the water.
What continent are platypuses native to?
Platypuses are native to Australia.
