Keeping a pet requires time and dedication, as well as a license for some animals. You should always check your state’s regulations regarding owning a pet before buying or adopting one. That being said, there are certain animals that are easier to own than others. While a platypus might not be the first animal you think of when considering what pet to get, it is definitely possible and legal in most states. In fact, there are even breeders who specialize in selling pet platypus. These unusual mammals do require some care and maintenance, but they are much easier to own than other exotic animals such as a snake or parrot. Here is what you need to know about keeping a pet platypus.
Can You Keep a Platypus As a Pet?
While it is possible to keep a platypus as a pet, it is not recommended. Platypuses are very delicate creatures and require a specific diet and environment to thrive. They are also not very social animals, so they do not do well in captivity. If you are determined to keep a platypus as a pet, you will need to obtain a permit from the state or country where you live.
Why Would You Want To Own A Platypus?
1. They Are the Cutest Mammal
There is no denying this. Platypuses are easily one of the cutest mammals you can own. You will be surprised when you see one up close, as they are not as big or scary-looking as other reptiles. They barely grow to about 5 inches long and weigh about 2 ounces. They have a soft, furry body that resembles a beaver’s tail with a long snout and small eyes. Their fur is brown and white in color, with some platypus having spots on their backs that look like eyes or teeth. They have webbed feet that look like paddles, allowing them to swim through the water without breaking the surface tension of their bodies.
2. They Are Very Friendly
Platypuses are very friendly creatures who love being around people and other animals such as dogs and cats. This makes them easier to live with than many other exotic pets because they do not require much attention or space in your home. They can even be taught tricks such as rolling over or standing on their hind legs for treats!
3. They Are Easy to Take Care Of
If you do want to keep a platypus as a pet, then you should know that they are not hard to care for at all! Their diet consists mainly of bugs and worms, so you can buy some live food from your local pet store or feed them worms from time to time even if you don’t think your pet will eat them.
4. They Are Easy to Adopt
Platypuses are not endangered or threatened in the wild, so they can be adopted at any time. Their only requirement is that you must have a platypus permit from the government that says you are allowed to own one. There are also many breeders in most states who sell them as pets and will let you take one home with you if you are interested in buying one!
5. They Are Not Difficult to Raise
Platypuses can be raised by adults without any problems at all. While they require a little bit of care and maintenance, they do not require any special training or care at all! They learn to walk, swim, and eat just like other mammals do. If you want to raise your own platypus, it won’t take much effort on your part either! Their diet consists mainly of worms and bugs, so purchasing some live food from your local pet store is enough for them to eat on their own!
Is It Legal To Own A Platypus As A Pet?
- You must have a license for the animal.
- You must have a safe place to keep your new pet platypus.
- Your platypus may be confiscated by local authorities if you don’t follow the rules.
- It is illegal to sell or purchase platypus eggs and baby platypus as pets in most states (see below).
- If your state allows it, you can own an adult platypus as a pet, but it cannot be sold or purchased as a pet in most states.
- Don’t breed your pet platypus; your offspring will not be legal to keep as pets and will not be able to reproduce, which means they won’t make any more plats!
- Do not feed your animal anything except commercially prepared food that is specifically made for exotic animals like plats (you can get this from some stores or from breeders). If you feed him other types of food, he could get sick and die and you would have no way of identifying what caused his death or where to find his body for disposal purposes! This includes human foods such as bread, milk, cheese, etc., as well as other types of meat such as chicken and pork which are also illegal for keeping in many areas because they can cause many diseases if consumed by your animal over an extended period of time!
- Do not attempt to train your new pet platypus yourself; this could lead to injury or death and you would be required to pay for any medical costs associated with the injury or death.
How To Care For A Platypus
- If you want to keep a platypus as a pet, you need to make sure that it is legally allowed in your state. Check with your local zoo or aquarium and see if they sell platypus as pets. If not, you might be able to find an online breeder who can sell one to you.
- In order for a platypus to live in captivity, it needs an enclosure that is at least six feet long and three feet wide. This will give the animal enough room to swim and be comfortable in its enclosure. The enclosure should have some sort of shelter from the weather so that the platypus will not freeze during the cold months of winter or heat up during summer.
- Your pet platypus will need food and water every day, but it will especially need water when it is young if it has been kept in an area without clean drinking water for several weeks or longer. You might want to buy bottled water for your animal in order to avoid any health concerns or any possible contamination of your source water supply by getting tap water from outside sources such as a store or a restaurant where they use tap water instead of bottled water.
- A healthy adult platypus can live up to 20 years or more, so don’t get too attached if one sticks around for a while! They are very territorial and may feel threatened by other animals nearby, including other animals of their species (some species even kill other members of their own species).
- Your platypus will need to have its tail cleaned regularly in order to prevent infection and to keep it clean and healthy. You can do this by gently pulling the tail toward you and using a soft brush or toothbrush to remove any dirt or debris. If you are concerned about your platypus’s health, call your local vet for advice about how often you should clean its tail.
The Problem With Keeping A Platypus As A Pet
- They need a lot of space. Platypuses are not small critters. In fact, they can grow up to four feet long and weigh over 30 pounds. That’s almost as big as a Great Dane! They also have very large feet, and they can use them to walk across the ocean floor. To keep your pet platypus happy and healthy, you will need plenty of land around your house or apartment.
- They are very expensive to buy and maintain. The average cost of buying a pet platypus is $2,000—and that doesn’t include the price of food for the animal, which can be quite high! You will also need to spend a lot of money on supplies for your pet platypus: food, water bowls, toys, cages…the list goes on! If you want to keep your pet platypus in good condition, you’ll need to make sure you have enough money set aside for supplies each month.
- They eat just about anything (and don’t digest it well). Platypuses are carnivorous animals that eat prey such as crayfish and mussels in the wild; however, most people keep them as pets by feeding them fish or shrimp-based diets instead. Since these animals don’t have teeth or stomachs designed for eating meat as humans do they tend not to eat as much fish or other foods as their captive counterparts do in the wild—which means they are not a good source of nutrition for your pet platypus.
- They can be very destructive to your home. Platypuses are known for their playful and mischievous behavior, which can cause trouble in the house. They are also very messy animals, so you will need to clean up after them often!
Conclusion
The platypus is a fascinating animal. They are interesting to observe, and they are easily tamed, which is another reason people often keep them as pets. However, they are definitely not an animal that will work for everyone. They are expensive to buy and require a large amount of maintenance. If you are prepared for the commitment, then a platypus is an exotic and interesting pet.
