Recent Examples on the Web

In 40 percent of the its current range, the platypus could disappear entirely. Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "Australia’s Droughts and Fires Present New Dangers to the Platypus," 28 Jan. 2020

While previous estimates suggested platypus populations had fallen by 30 percent since the 1600s, the researchers estimated that the population may have fallen by more than half. Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "Australia’s Droughts and Fires Present New Dangers to the Platypus," 28 Jan. 2020

And a platypus with that duck bill and beaver body is an animal unlike any other. oregonlive, "Canzano: New name for Civil War rivalry is right under Oregon and Oregon State’s nose," 27 June 2020

Abby used her imagination to turn a paper lunch bag into a platypus. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, "'Sesame Street' favorites have a sunny day amid coronavirus outbreak with 'Elmo’s Playdate'," 14 Apr. 2020

The prehistoric behemoth is from the sturgeon family and looks like a mashup of a shark and platypus. Tim Evans, Indianapolis Star, "Despite COVID-19 concerns, Indiana's Caviar King denied release from federal prison," 6 May 2020

Meanwhile, their pet platypus is a secret agent who is constantly fighting Dr. Doofenshmirtz, a villain who isn’t always great at maintaining his goal of taking over the (ambiguous) tri-state area. Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, "The best kids’ shows that locked-down parents can enjoy, too," 5 Apr. 2020

Australia’s platypus — a rare egg-laying mammal with fur, bills and webbed feet — must fight habitat loss, predation from invasive species (including foxes and feral dogs and cats), severe drought and now wildfires wrought by climate change. Remy Tumin, New York Times, "Iowa, State of the Union, Taylor Swift: Your Tuesday Evening Briefing," 4 Feb. 2020

Also threatened by those polluted water supplies: aquatic wildlife like the iconic platypus. National Geographic, "What is it like living alongside a volcano?," 15 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'platypus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.