Plural of Platypus What is the Platypus Plural?
The correct plural of platypus is "platypuses". The next most correct usage is "platypodes", but this form is rarely used today. What about "platypi", you ask? Well, while using platypi may be fun and quirky, it is grammatically incorrect.
And here's another fun fact. A group of platypuses is called a paddle. "I saw a paddle of platypuses swimming by". How cute is that?
If we were to use a Greek construct for the plural for words ending in –pus/poûs; the word would end in 'podes'. So using a Greek construct for the plural for platypus would be 'platypodes'. 'Platypodes' was sometimes used in the past for the plural, but it is rarely used today. In third declension Greek, it is also acceptable to append an "es" to the end of the words ending in –pus/poûs to signify the plural. Then 'platypuses' becomes acceptable. But, strictly speaking, 'platypus' is not a Greek name; it is merely constructed from two Greek words.
Platypus is now an English word. So we could apply the English language rules of the plural form. Then, as with most other English nouns ending in –s, the plural for platypus would be 'platypuses' (such as bus–buses, walrus–walruses).
But we need to put the record straight. The platypus is a solitary animal. It does not get together in groups. The only time more than one platypus would come together is for mating.