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The platypus is among nature's most unlikely animals. Persona 4, another in renown and award-winning Shin Megami Tensei series, is a riveting murder mystery RPG featuring an entirely new cast, action, and depth. The venom gland is connected to a small spur on its hind legâthink of a platypusâs spur as a tiny horn, about as long as your fingernail. 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. Aside from two other mammals -- certain species of shrew and solenodons -- harboring venom is a trait usually reserved for reptiles and amphibians. Males have a pair of spurs on their hind limbs that secrete venom that is only seasonally active to breeding season, supporting the theory that the use of venom is for competition of mates only, not protection. In fact, the first scientists to examine a specimen believed they were the victims of a hoax. ... And for another, by studying painful platypus venom, scientists could figure out how it overcomes morphine, ⦠(Image: © worldswildlifewonders / Shutterstock.com), Newly discovered fungi turn flies into zombies and devour them from the inside out, Unsafe levels of radiation found in Chernobyl crops, Scientists think they've detected radio emissions from an alien world, 1,200-year-old pagan temple to Thor and Odin unearthed in Norway, Angel, devil and blood-red heart appear at Martian south pole. The production of venom increases in males during mating season. Its tail adds an additional 5 inches (13 cm) to the animal's length. Little is known about what drives sexual selection in platypuses. Both males and females have spurs on their ankles, however it is only the male who produces venom. Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and other monotremes occupy an important position as ⦠Wrong! Although people often think that platypus have venomous claws, they actually have venomous spurs. ", or if it actually isn't all that lethal. The female, however, was spur-free. TRUE TRUE. Please refresh the page and try again. The venom is produced in the male's crural glands. In addition, a simple cough can increase the intensity of pain. One adjective that's likely never been applied to the mammal is "normal" -- after all, its physiology and anatomy borrow from birds, reptiles and mammals in a baffling conglomeration of webbed feet and a duck bill, the ability to lay eggs (familiar to both birds and reptiles) and a furry body. Male Platypus. ALSO; What is your favorite EXOTIC animal? After mating, the female will ignore all other mating attempts during that breeding season, and the male may go on to find other females to mate with. To copulate, the male will climb partially on to the female's back, and curl his tail under her abdomen to bring their respective cloaca (waste and reproductive orifice) close together. Scientists have found fossils that suggest that ancient platypuses where twice as large as the modern variety⦠Dog fatalities as a result of platypus stings have been documented. Female platypus lay eggs (1-3 each spring) Adult males have venomous spurs on their hind legs . Platypus venom: a review. In David Collins's account of the new colony 1788â1801, he describes coming across "an amphibious animal, of the mole species". 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. One of the reasons behind the platypusâs physiological uniqueness comes from its evolutionary history as a monotreme. Males will try to court females by biting on the female's tail, but the female will flee if she's not ready. As the only living member of the taxonomic family Ornithorhynchidae and genus Ornithorhynchus, the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a unique animal that lives throughout Tasmania and the eastern coast of Australia. Platypus do not have nipples, so the female sweats milk from her belly, the milk pools, and the baby platypus drink. Actually it's the male platypus that is venomous. "It's a bit of a dance," Thomas said. 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. In Australia there have been a few cases of platypus stings. The female platypus can develop calcaneus spurs, but the crural glands never develop. During this time, the males produce venom, which is secreted from the spurs on their hind legs and used to inflict painful injuries on rival males. Both male and females have ankle spurs, but only the male platypus have a venom-delivering spur that is found on the hind limbs. New York, Correct! Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. However, it is not strong enough to kill a human being. An Australian duck-billed platypus swims in a rainforest creek. Whittington CM and Belov K. 2007. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Find out Everything about this Hybrid, Differences Between Deer, Elk, Moose and Reindeer, What Does It Mean When a Cat Shows Up at My Door, The 10 Most Solitary Animals in the World. A typical platypus is 15 inches (38 centimeters) from its head to the end of its rump. The venom of a platypus can kill small animals, even dogs. Although it isn't lethal for humans, it can cause intense pain. 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