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The venom-delivering spur is found only on the male's hind limbs. The platypus is one of the few living mammals to produce venom.The venom is made in venom glands that are connected to hollow spurs on their hind legs; it is primarily made during the mating season. [1]
The monotreme leg bears a spur in the ankle region; the spur is not functional in echidnas, but contains a powerful venom in the male platypus. This venom is derived from β-defensins , proteins that are present in mammals that create holes in viral and bacterial pathogens.
Platypus venom is likely retained from its distant non-monotreme ancestors, being the last living example of what was once a common characteristic among mammals. [2] Fossil records show that venom delivery systems were not sexually dimorphic in ancestral monotremes. [18]
Monotremes are the only mammals (apart from the Guiana dolphin) [55] known to have a sense of electroreception, and the platypus's electroreception is the most sensitive of any monotreme. [ 56 ] [ 54 ] Feeding by neither sight nor smell, [ 57 ] the platypus closes its eyes, ears, and nose when it dives. [ 58 ]
The class Mammalia is divided into two subclasses based on reproductive techniques: egg-laying mammals (yinotherians or monotremes - see also Australosphenida), and mammals which give live birth . The latter subclass is divided into two infraclasses: pouched mammals ( metatherians or marsupials ), and placental mammals ( eutherians , for which ...
Hatching takes place after 10 days of gestation; the young echidna, called a puggle, [23] [24] born larval and fetus-like, then sucks milk from the pores of the two milk patches (monotremes have no teats) and remains in the pouch for 45 to 55 days, [25] at which time it starts to develop spines. The mother digs a nursery burrow and deposits the ...
Like the other species of echidna, long-beaked echidnas have spurs on their hind legs. These spurs are vestigial; part of a repressed venom system akin to the one on the platypus. Male spurs are nonfunctional and females usually lose their spurs as they age. [7]
The calcaneus spur found on the male platypus' hind limb is used to deliver venom. Spurs are uncommon in mammals. The male platypus has well developed spurs on the heels of its hind feet. The spurs are hollow and connected to a venom gland, allowing the platypus to deliver a very painful kick both in mating competitions and as a defense. [22]