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What triggers the platypuses to sting you?

Updated: 8/20/2019
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12y ago

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Platypuses do not "sting".

Male platypuses have ankle spurs on their hind legs which are attached to venom glands in either thigh. Through these spurs they can dispense venom composed largely of defensin-like proteins (DLPs), unique to the Platypus. This venom is powerful enough to kill smaller animals, and to cause agonising pain to humans. A male platypus will only spur a person if they are interfering with the animal, trying (foolishly) to capture it.

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12y ago
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Q: What triggers the platypuses to sting you?
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