The platypus, a unique mammal, possesses a venom system in adult males delivered via hind leg spurs. This venom, primarily ...

Close-up of a platypus swimming in the water A platypus wandering by a roadside in Australia stabbed a woman with its venomous spurs when she attempted to lift it from a gutter. Jenny Forward was ...

Only male platypuses have venomous spurs. The amount of venom a male platypus produces also increases during breeding season, so scientists believe it is used as a weapon against rival males.

Native to the rivers and freshwater creeks of eastern Australia, its venom is the lesser-known feature that sets the platypus ...

The platypus produces a powerful venom during breeding season, which is used in competition among males for females. "We've discovered conflicting functions of GLP-1 in the platypus: in the gut as a ...

Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work ...

The diagram illustrates separate gene duplications in different parts of the phylogeny for platypus venom defensin-like peptides (vDLPs), for lizard venom crotamine-like peptides (vCLPs), and for ...

When British zoologist George Shaw first encountered a platypus specimen in 1799, he was so befuddled that he checked for stitches, thinking someone might be trying to trick him with a Frankencreature ...

It’s a semi-aquatic exotic with some remarkable traits! This week, we’re exploring the strange but true story of the platypus. * Platypuses use “electrolocation” while feeding, sending out impulses ...

With diabetes currently sweeping the United States, designing more effective treatments is paramount. New research finds a rather surprising source of a potential new drug: platypus venom. As we dig ...

Platypus populations in Australia are becoming increasingly isolated as their habitats are fragmented by human-made dams. As a result, the long-term survival of this distinctive species is falling ...