What is a spur on a platypus
What is a spur on a platypus
Blog Article
The **platypus spur** is a unique anatomical feature found in male platypuses, which serves as a delivery system for venom. Here’s a detailed overview of its characteristics and functions:
## Anatomy and Structure
- **Location**: The spur is located on the inner side of each hind ankle of male platypuses.
- **Size**: Adult male spurs typically measure between 15 to 18 millimeters in length and resemble a canine tooth in shape. In contrast, juvenile males possess shorter, thicker spurs covered with a protective keratin layer that eventually sheds as they mature[1][2].
- **Connection to Venom Glands**: Each spur is connected to crural glands situated in the upper thigh, which produce the venom. This connection allows the venom to be injected through the hollow spur[1][2].
## Venom Characteristics
- **Composition**: The venom contains various proteins, including defensin-like proteins (DLPs) unique to the platypus. These compounds are believed to cause severe pain and swelling but are not lethal to humans[4][5].
- **Effects**: When injected, the venom can cause excruciating pain comparable to being stabbed with a knife, along with significant swelling that may persist for weeks or even months[3][4]. Notably, standard analgesics like morphine do not alleviate this pain effectively; however, treatments that block nerve transmission can be effective[1][3].
## Purpose and Evolution
- **Mating Competition**: The production of venom peaks during the breeding season, suggesting that it plays a role in male-to-male competition for mates. The spurring response is triggered when a male platypus here feels click here threatened or during mating interactions[1][2].
- **Evolutionary Perspective**: The presence of spurs in platypuses is thought to be an inherited trait from ancestral mammals, indicating that such features were once common among mammals but have largely disappeared in modern species[2][4].
## Safety Considerations
Handling male platypuses poses risks due to their venomous spurs. It is advised to avoid supporting them from below and instead lift them by the tail's end to prevent accidental spurring[1].
In summary, the platypus spur is an evolutionary adaptation that not only highlights the unique biology of this species but also serves important ecological roles related to reproduction and competition among males.
Citations:
[1] https://platypus.asn.au/platypus-venom-and-spurs/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus_venom
[3] https://www.livescience.com/health/platypus-stabs-woman-with-its-venomous-spurs-in-odd-case
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platapus
[5] https://www.britannica.com/science/spur-animal-appendage
[6] https://blog.nature.org/2019/10/07/the-platypus-is-weirder-than-you-ever-imagined/
[7] https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/platypus/
[8] https://slate.com/technology/2015/06/platypus-venom-painful-immediate-long-lasting-impervious-to-painkillers.html