No, platypuses cannot be kept as pets. In many places, including Australia, where they are native, it is illegal to keep a platypus as a pet. Additionally, platypuses have specific habitat and dietary requirements that are challenging to meet in a domestic setting. They are also protected due to their vulnerable status in the wild, and it is important to conserve and protect their natural habitats rather than keeping them as pets. If you encounter a platypus in the wild, it's best to observe them from a distance and not disturb them.