Platypus venom: a review. I know the male platypus is venomous. "Theyactively compete for territories and the females in them," Thomas said. In the same area of the hind foot where the male has the poisonous spur, the female platypus only develops two buds which drop off in their first year of life never to appear again. The male of this species has a spur on its hind legs that releases a venom which can cause intense pain. For instance the adorably goofy duck-billed platypus looks less threatening then a pet cat but believe it or not the male platypus has a spur on its hind foot that is more than capable of delivering severe pain to humans. His account includes a drawing of the animal. This unusual looking animal actually has a venomous spur on its back legs. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Though females are also born with the spurs, they fall off before adulthood. The platypus is classified among egg-laying mammals - monotremes. Only male platypuses produce venom. It has thick, waterproof fur all over its body (except for the feet and bill) that insulates the animal and keeps it warm. Although it isn't lethal for humans, it can cause intense pain. Since platypuses don't have many natural predators and don't use their spurs to capture food, and venom seems to be produced mostly during the breeding season, it is believed that this is part of the mating ritual between rival males. The male platypus produces venom in the crural glands located beneath the calcaneus spur on each of its hind limbs. Suppose a scientist is studying the platypus, one of the few venomous mammals. The platypus injects between 2 and 4 ml of its venom in one dose. The platypus is one of the few living mammals to produce venom. Both male and females have ankle spurs, but only the male platypus have a venom-delivering spur that is found on the hind limbs. The female platypus produces a clutch of one to three eggs in late winter or spring, incubating them in an underground burrow. A sting produces a swelling around the wound which extends up the affected limb. If you know any other nice information, then shoot, I've got all day. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Whittington CM and Belov K. 2007. NY 10036. With the bill and webbed toes of a duck, tail of a beaver and body of an otter, platypuses are easily one of the strangest-looking animals on the planet. But it did not clearly explain if the females are venomous. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. In humans, this venom causes pain and swelling, increased sensitivity to pain in general (called hyperalgesia), hyperventilation, low blood oxygen and convulsions, depending on the dose received. Although people often think that platypus have venomous claws, they actually have venomous spurs. 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