How common are venomous mammals?

AVenom is used by many species, but its occurrence is relatively rare in mammals. The most famous venomous mammals include slow lorises, which have a toxin-loaded bite, and the male duck-billed platypus, whose hind legs sport venom-delivering spurs.

While these species use venom for defence, certain insectivorous mammals, including solenodons and some shrews, include poisonous substances in their hunting armoury. We even have one such species in the UK – the water shrew, whose saliva contains venomous proteins. Delivered via a sharp bite, these toxins affect the nervous system and help to immobilise a range of invertebrate prey, including worms, beetles and crustaceans, as well as small fish and amphibians.

Laurie Jackson

Slow lorises are the only venomous primate. To activate its toxins, it licks its brachial gland, located on its arm, and mixes the secretions with saliva.