World's Most Venomous Mammals

Posted Feb 14, 2009 by nobertbermosa / comments 2 comments / Print / Font Size Decrease font size Increase font size

Amongst the animals in the planet, fishes and reptiles have the most number of venomous species. There are a few species of venomous amphibians and none for birds though there are poisonous birds. Are there venomous mammals? Venomous mammals are quite rare. Here are the few venomous mammals or mammals that use poisonous or noxious chemicals in some form.

Have you heard of mammals that are venomous? Animals usually produce venom to kill or disable prey, or to defend themselves from predators. Amongst the animals in the planet, fishes and reptiles have the most number of venomous species. There are a few species of venomous amphibians and none for birds though there are poisonous birds. Well, how about mammals, are there venomous mammals? Venomous mammals are quite rare. Here are the few venomous mammals or mammals that use poisonous or noxious chemicals in some form.

1. Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda)

Image Source

The Northern Short-tailed Shrew is a large shrew found in central and eastern North America from southern Saskat-

chewan to Atlantic Canada and south to Nebraska and Georgia. It has scent glands that release a musky secretion

which repels some predators; males also use scent to mark their territory. This animal is capable of delivering a

venomous bite. Glands in its mouth contain a neurotoxin that allows it to immobilize larger animals such as snakes

and birds. If not able to find food within about a two-hour period, these small mammals will attack and eat each other.

2. Eurasian Water Shrew (Neomys fodiens)

Image Source

The Eurasian Water Shrew, known in British English as the Water Shrew, is a relatively large shrew, up to 100 mm in

length with relatively long tail. The shrew has venomous saliva, making it one of the few venomous mammals. Although

it is not capable of puncturing the skin of large mammals such as humans it is capable of delivering a venomous bite.

3. Cuban Solenodon (Atopogale cubana)

Image Source

4. Haitian Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus)

Image Source

Solenodons look similar to big hedgehogs with no coat of spines. They both have venomous bites; the venom is

delivered from modified salivary via grooves in their second lower incisors.

5. Platypus (Ornithorhyncus anatinus)

Image Source

The Platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. It is the only mammals

that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Males have a venomous spur on their hind legs. The calcaneous

spur found on the male platypus's hind limb is used to deliver venom. Platypus is one of the few venomous mammals

that can deliver venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. Although the venom is not lethal to humans, it is so

excruciating that the victim may be incapacitated. Oedema rapidly develops around the wound and gradually spreads

throughout the affected limb. Information obtained from case histories and anecdotal evidence indicates that the pain

develops into a long-lasting hyperalgesia that persists for days or even months.

6. Southern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina carolinensis)

Image Source

The Southern Short-tailed Shrew is a small, gray, short-tailed mammal as the name implies. It has been known to store

snails for the winter. The saliva is venomous and is injected into the wounds of its prey by the teeth. Its venom is strong

enough to kill mice, but is not lethal to humans.

7. Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina hylophaga)

Image Source

Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew has a venomous bite. It is a small, slate grey, short-tailed species of shrew. The appearance

of the Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew resembles than that of the Southern Short-tailed Shrew. The mammal appears much

similar to a rodent, but like other shrews is a member of the Soricomorpha order.

8. Slow Lorises -Sunda Loris (Nycticebus coucang)

Image Source

9. Bengal Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis)

Image Source

10. Pygmy Slow Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus)

Image Source

Slow lorises like Sunda Loris, Bengal Slow Loris  and Pygmy Slow Loris have glands on the inside of their elbows that

secrete a toxin that smells reminiscent of sweaty socks. They cover their babies in the toxin to protect them from

predators,and put it in their mouths to give themselves a venomous bite, delivering the toxin via their lower incisors.

11. Skunks

Image Source

Striped Skunk, Mephitis mephitis

Skunks (sometimes referred to as polecats) are mammals best known for their ability to excrete a strong, foul-smelling

odor. Skunks can eject this noxious fluid from glands near their anus. It is not only foul smelling, but can cause skin

irritation and, if it gets in the eyes, temporary blindness. All skunks are striped, even from birth. The American Hog-

nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) is the largest skunk in the world, growing to lengths of up to 2.7 feet (82.5cm),

and weighing 2-6 lb (0.9-2.7 kg).

12. Striped Polecat (Ictonyx striatus)

Image Source

Some members of the mustelid family, such as the striped polecat, also called the African Polecat, Zoril, Zorille or

Zorilla - which somewhat resembles a skunk also have this capacity to excrete a strong, foul-smelling odor. It is found

in savannahs and open country in southern and west Africa. Like other polecats, this carnivore is nocturnal. It has

several means of avoiding predators - aside from its ability to emit foul-smelling secretions from its anal glands; it

also can play dead and climb trees. The zorilla is tagged as the smelliest animal on earth.

13. Pangolins

Image Source

Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica

Pangolins or scaly anteaters have large keratin scales covering their skin and are the only mammals with this adapta-

tion. They are found in tropical regions of Africa and Asia. The name "pangolin" derives from the Malay word pengguling

("something that rolls up"). Pangolins can also emit a noxious smelling fluid from glands near the anus.

14. Great Long-nosed Armadillo

Image Source

The Great Long-nosed Armadillo can also release a disagreeable musky odor when threatened. It is found in South

America. The Great Long-nosed Armadillo has spurs on the hind legs that allow them to crawl on their knees into

narrow tunnels.

These animals are not as venomous or as deadly like the venomous fishes and reptiles but still they can inflict damage

to humans. Extra care should always be observed when dealing with these animals.

For more amazing and animal-related articles see

15 Amazing Animals From Around the World

World's Most Expensive Animals

Top 15 Most Venomous Cobras in the World

The Most Beautifully and Uniquely Colored Mammals in the World

Animals with the Weirdest and Unique Horns

World's Most Colorful, Beautiful and Poisonous Frogs

12 Animals with the Longest Lifespan in the World

12 Animals and Their Bizarre Habits and Traits

Temporary and Permanent Cave Dwellers

The "Ships of the Desert"

Bizarre Sleeping Habits of Animals

Amazing Animals and Their Unique (while Sometimes Bizarre) Traits

15 Simply Amazing Animals


Rate this Article:

Rating: 4.7/5 (6 votes cast)


* You must be logged in order to leave comments, please login or join us.

Comments

Jinsu
Jinsu said... on September 17th, 2009 at 6:36 AM

Great Post ! Check my profile ! Check out 10 stupid Questions.....

thestickman
thestickman said... on March 13th, 2009 at 11:43 AM

Very interesting! I like the shrews and pangolin -thestickman



Bookmark and Share
Sign up for our email newsletter
Name:
Email: