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Adult male platypuses have venomous (not poisonous) spurs on their ankles.

Through these spurs, they can deliver a venom strong enough to kill a small dog, and to cause almost paralysing agony to an adult human. Platypus venom contains a protein which lowers blood pressure, also inducing shock.

People who have been "spurred" by a platypus report that the pain is strong enough to cause vomiting that may last for days, weeks or sometimes even months. The pain cannot be relieved by morphine and other standard pain-killing drugs. It seems the only way it can be relieved is through anaesthesia of the main nerve from the spur site.

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13y ago
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13y ago

The male platypus has a venomous spur (not spike) on each of his hind ankles, though the females do not. They use them to ward off enemies and predators, and sometimes when protecting his mating female. It is unknown whether or not platypuses use their venomous spurs in territorial disputes or to assert their dominance against other males.

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15y ago

A male platypus has a poisonous spur on each of its ankles, rather than "toxic spikes". This poisonous spur delivers venom strong enough to cause paralysing agony to an adult, or to kill a small-medium dog.

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9y ago

Oh yes it does

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Q: Does a platypus have a spike on their foot?
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The photograph at the related link below shows a male platypus's spur on its hind foot.


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