Reptile and insect species, including species such as the black mamba, redback spider and stonefish are widely known for their deadly venomous abilities - less so are mammals.
Are there any venomous mammals?
Although rare in comparison, there are venomous mammals that produce venom and use it to hunt, defend themselves, or compete for mates. Discover more about venomous mammals, including how to identify and where they've found.
How mammalian venom differs
Mammalian venom is generally less complex and potent than the venom of snakes or spiders. Its composition and delivery methods are more primitive and adapted for specific ecological niches.
The existence of venomous mammals challenges the perception that venom is primarily an adaptation of reptiles and invertebrates.
Does the venom from mammals have any medical benefits?
Research into venomous mammals by the University of Oxford has revealed unique compounds that could have biomedical applications, such as pain management or drug development.
While venomous mammals are not dangerous to humans in most cases, they represent fascinating examples of evolutionary adaptation.
Which mammals are venomous?
Venomous mammals are only slightly more common than hens with teeth. Very few are known – namely the slow lorises, the European mole and water shrew, the short-tailed shrew, the Cuban and Haitian solenodons and the duck-billed platypus.
(The European hedgehog is thought to possess venomous saliva.) All use their venom to subdue prey, except for the platypus, which exudes its poison from defensive spurs on its hind legs.
Venomous mammals
Slow loris (Nycticebus)
The slow loris is a small and deceptively cute-looking primate that combs its venom through its offspring’s hair to protect them from predators. Several species of slow loris are found across South and South-East Asia. It has a venom delivery system that is unique among primates – a venomous bite.
It produces venom itself, but also supplements it with toxins absorbed from its food. The poison initially oozes from brachial glands located on the insides of the loris’ forelimbs, near the elbows, and is then transferred to its mouth by licking, where it is ‘watered down’ with saliva. When threatened, a loris pushes its hands over its head in what looks like a brace position, exposing these glands to the attacker.
The venom smells like pungent sweaty socks. But if this olfactory assault doesn’t work, the ‘hardware’ comes into play and the loris delivers a nasty bite using a collection of specialised incisors and canines known as a ‘grooming comb’, which are located at the front of its jaw. The effect of the poison depends on the victim’s sensitivity. At best, the affected area will go numb; at worst, anaphylactic shock will set in. Nick Baker & Anna Nekaris
Solenodons (Genus Solenodon)
They might look cute and cuddly, but solenodons are venomous, nocturnal mammals that burrow and feed on insects, belonging to the family Solenodontidae. Found in the Caribbean, including the Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus).
Their saliva contains venom delivered through grooves in their lower incisors and is used to subdue prey such as insects and small animals.
Shrews (Soricidae)
Shrews, despite their fluffy appearance, are another group of mammals with a venomous bite. They use their venom to paralyse and subdue prey, delivering it not through fangs like snakes, but via a specialised duct at the base of their incisors, which flows along grooves in their teeth. It uses this to immobilise or kill prey like insects, worms, and small vertebrates. Fortunately, it is harmless to humans.
Interestingly, the venom of the northern short-tailed shrew closely resembles that of the Mexican beaded lizard, a relative of the Gila monster. Like the lizard’s venom, it holds medical potential, with one component currently being studied as a possible treatment for ovarian cancer.
Shrew species which are venomous include the the Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens) and the short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda), both of which are found worldwide.
European Mole (Talpa europaea)
Continuing with the theme of small, adorable, yet toxic mammals, let’s spotlight the unassuming European mole. While it’s mostly known for creating those unsightly soil piles on your lawn, it turns out this elusive digger is venomous too!
Much like shrews, moles produce a toxic saliva that helps them paralyse and subdue their prey – primarily earthworms. This clever adaptation allows them to store their food alive and fresh for later consumption, ensuring a ready supply of nourishment whenever they need it.
Duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
The duck-billed platypus is a remarkable creature, one of the few mammals that lay eggs (known as Monotremes), also possesses a unique defence mechanism: venomous ankle spurs!
While the venom isn’t fatal to humans, a strike from a platypus is reportedly excruciatingly painful and potent enough to paralyse or kill smaller animals, including dogs. It’s no wonder Winston Churchill found these fascinating animals so captivating!
Only the male duck-billed platypus produces venom by using hind legs which have spurs connected to venom glands.
