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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.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe 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.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoA 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.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoOh yes it does
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What type of feet does a platypus have?
The platypus has sharp claws on its feet. The feet have a retracting webbed membrane which can expose the claws, enabling the platypus to effectively dig burrows
Poisoned spike on male's ankle picture of Platypus?
You can see photos of the male platypus's venomous spur at the related link below.
How do a platypus protects its self from its enemies?
It hides; or it has a poisoned spike on its heel that it can attack with. Other than that, it's just a platypus - they don't do much.
Is Spike Lee tall?
Spike Lee is 5 foot 7
How tall is Spike Jonze?
Spike Lee is 5 foot 7
What is a spur on a platypus?
A spur is a hollow spike on the male platypus' hind ankle which is attached to a venom gland within the animal's thigh. The venom can cause agonising and paralysing pain.
What does platypus mean in Latin?
The scientific name (sometimes also called the Latin name) of the platypus is ornithorhynchus anatinus.
How furry is a platypus?
The platypus is completely covered, from head to foot, with thick, velvety, waterproof fur. Its legs are also furry.
What do platypus spurs look like?
The photograph at the related link below shows a male platypus's spur on its hind foot.
Is the right foot of the platypus poison?
Platypuses do not have any "poisonous" parts, but adult males have venomous spurs on their ankles. These spurs are attached to a venom gland in either thigh of the platypus.
A animal starting with a d is a mammal lays eggs has a poisonous spike on its leg?
There is no such animal.The platypus is a monotreme (egg-laying mammal) and it has a venomous spur on its leg.If the answer is supposed to be "duck-billed platypus", this is not the proper name for this creature.
What is platypus in Latin?
The word platypus is from the Greek platypous, meaning "flat-footed": from platys "broad, flat" + pous "foot."The scientific name (sometimes also called the Latin name) of the platypus is ornithorhynchus anatinus.
