Male-Specific Feature: The venomous spurs are present only on males. Females have spurs too, but they typically fall off during development.
Purpose: The venom is thought to play a role in male-to-male competition during the breeding season. It is not used for hunting or defense.
Composition of the Venom: Platypus venom contains a cocktail of proteins, including defensin-like proteins (DLPs), which are unique to monotremes. These proteins can cause intense pain in humans.
Bill and Webbed Feet
The platypus’s bill resembles that of a duck but is unique to mammals. It's not only used for feeding (detecting prey via electroreception) but also for digging and foraging.
The platypus has webbed feet that help it swim efficiently. When on land, the webs retract to expose sharp claws for digging burrows.
Molecular and Genetic Uniqueness
The platypus has a genome that is distinct from other mammals, showing a mix of mammalian, avian, and reptilian characteristics. Researchers have found that the platypus genome has genes that are similar to those of birds and reptiles, such as genes for egg-laying, and others more similar to placental mammals.
Primitive Mammalian Traits
Platypuses retain several primitive characteristics compared to other mammals. For example, they have reptilian-like cloacas (a single opening for excretion and reproduction), a trait that mammals generally do not share.
Their bones and certain features of their brain structure are also considered more primitive compared to other modern mammals.
