The adorable duck-billed platypus is a fascinating aquatic creature, but would they make suitable pets? In short, having a pet platypus is generally not recommended for most people due to their complex care requirements.
However, in the following article we’ll dive deep into the world of platypus ownership to better understand what’s involved and the reasons why owning one comes with many challenges.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: outside of Australia, keeping a pet platypus would be illegal. Even within Australia, platypuses cannot be captured from the wild to become pets.
The only possibilities would be to adopt a rescue or obtain special permits for educational/conservation purposes.
Challenges of Keeping a Pet Platypus
Special Habitat Requirements
Platypuses are semi-aquatic mammals that require both land and water enclosures. Their habitat should resemble their natural homes in rivers and streams in eastern Australia. Ideal platypus habitats have both deep water for swimming (at least 12-18 inches) and land area for burrowing and resting.
Providing the proper environment can be challenging for the average pet owner.
Diet and Feeding
Platypuses are carnivores that feed on larvae, worms, insects, crustaceans, and other small creatures. Replicating their diverse diet can be difficult in captivity. They need to be fed live food which requires regular trips to streams and rivers to collect.
Frozen or freeze-dried alternatives may not provide adequate nutrition. Meeting the unique dietary requirements is an ongoing challenge for platypus owners.
Obtaining a Platypus Legally
It is currently illegal to capture a platypus from the wild or import one from Australia without special permits. Penalties can include heavy fines and even jail time. The only legal way to obtain a pet platypus is from a licensed dealer or breeder in your country or state.
There are strict regulations regarding their sale and ownership due to their protected status in the wild. Ensuring your platypus was obtained through legal channels is critical.
Potential Health Issues
Platypuses can be susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections without proper care. Maintaining water quality and temperature is key to preventing illnesses. They are also prone to metabolic bone disease from inadequate nutrition.
Providing balanced diets tailored to their needs helps avoid health problems. Given their sensitive respiratory systems, poor air quality or extreme temperature fluctuations could also pose issues. Keeping a watchful eye on their environment is imperative.
Caring for a Pet Platypus
Providing the Proper Enclosure
Platypuses require a large enclosure with both land and water areas to thrive. An appropriate home should include a pond or pool at least 6 feet deep so they can swim and dive. You’ll also need dry areas where the platypus can rest and regulate its body temperature.
These semiaquatic mammals typically spend 12-15 hours per day in the water. The remainder of their time is spent in burrows dug into the dirt or grass.
Keeping Them Stimulated
In the wild, platypuses are active foragers who cover large distances while hunting for food. As pets, they need ways to exercise their innate behaviors. Provide hollow logs, tunnels, and safe items to dig and rearrange in their habitat.
You can also offer puzzle feeders with live food to engage their natural foraging instincts. An understimulated platypus may exhibit repetitive behaviors like excessive grooming due to boredom and stress.
Daily Care Routines
Expect to spend considerable time each day caring for a pet platypus. Key tasks include:
Time outside the enclosure for supervised play is also recommended. Without proper daily care, platypuses are at risk for obesity, infection, and other health issues in captivity.
Ongoing Veterinary Care
Platypuses have unique biology that requires an exotics veterinarian’s expertise. Expect regular vet visits for:
With attentive daily and veterinary care, captive platypuses have lived over 17 years – nearly comparable to some estimates of their wild lifespan. Still, caring for these unique mammals is an enormous commitment requiring substantial resources and time.
Alternatives to Pet Platypuses
While platypuses are certainly unique and interesting animals, they do not make good pets for the average person. Here are some great alternatives if you’re looking for an unusual but pet-friendly animal.
Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders are small, marsupial possums native to Australia and parts of southeast Asia. They get their name from their predilection for sweet foods like fruit and nectar, and their ability to glide through the air using a membrane that extends between their front and back limbs.
These nocturnal creatures are social, intelligent, and relatively easy to care for, making them a popular exotic pet choice.
Fennec Foxes
The fennec fox has oversized ears and compact body, giving it an undeniably cute appearance. While foxes are usually not suitable as pets, the friendly and energetic fennec fox has a more domesticated temperament. However, they still require plenty of space and special care compared to dogs or cats.
Be sure to thoroughly research their needs before bringing one of these tiny foxes home!
Skunks
While most people think of skunks negatively for their smelly defense spray, they can potentially be raised from a young age to make very affectionate and playful pets. When their scent glands are removed by a vet, skunks do not spray or have any odor. They love snuggling and can be house trained.
Still, they need lots of attention and room to wander while awake at night.
Chinchillas
For people wanting a pet rodent beyond hamsters or guinea pigs, chinchillas can make a good choice. Originating from South America, chinchillas have ultra-soft, thick fur and minimal odor. They are active and curious when let out of their cage to play.
Chinchillas require specialized care and live 15-20 years, so they are a big commitment as pets.
While platypuses are protected in the wild, there are some better-suited, exotic yet cute pets you can consider instead. Be sure to thoroughly research any unconventional animal’s care requirements before bringing them home.
Conclusion
In the end, caring for these intriguing yet demanding creatures takes exceptional commitment, resources and knowledge. For most people, admiring platypuses by supporting conservation efforts or visiting them ethically in wildlife parks are far better alternatives than attempting to own one.
While their plush toy look may be endearing, platypuses belong in the rivers and streams of Australia. If you remain determined to have one as a pet despite the hurdles, be sure to thoroughly research all legal and proper care requirements first.
