They could then utilize that information to develop new pain relief medications and antibiotics, because today's available treatments don't affect pain induced by platypus venom. Since the platypus is one of three mammals that can produce venom, researchers want to determine the specific pain response pathway it stimulates in humans. This platypus offensive adaptation could end up helping humans. Platypus venom shares some molecules also found in reptile venom, but researchers determined that the platypus' poison capacity evolved separately. Platypus venom probably won't kill you, but it will cause swelling at the wound site and extreme pain that could last for weeks. Although dogs have died from platypus poison, there have been no recorded human fatalities. Even though the platypus only weighs around 5 pounds (2.2 kilograms), if you're engaged in a wrestling match with a male, getting stabbed with a venom-filled spur isn't a pleasant experience. That isn't to say that platypus spurs feel like a meager pin prick. Apparently, the venom isn't meant to kill other males, only to provide for a rousing fight. In fact, the male platypus produces venom mostly during the spring, which just happens to be when platypus couples breed. The only probable explanation that researchers have come up with is that males may use it offensively during mate competition. Put all of these traits together and what do you have? An animal that straddles three classes: mammal, bird and reptile.īut why would the male platypus need venom? The relatively docile animal has few predators, which include carpet snakes, eels and foxes, and doesn't need the toxin for hunting. Aside from two other mammals - certain species of shrew and solenodons - harboring venom is a trait usually reserved for reptiles and amphibians. Though females are also born with the spurs, they fall off before adulthood. The male platypus has a spur on either hind foot that excretes venom.

As if egg-laying, nippleless nursing and electroreception in a mammalian species weren't enough for you to wrap your mind around, the platypus has one more curve ball to toss your way.

Platypus venom crossword