While the venom from a platypus is not lethal to humans, it inflicts an excruciating pain intense enough to incapacitate a person. The intense pain is so persistent that it doesn't even respond to morphine.

In 1991, Keith Payne, a former member of the Australian Army and recipient of the Victoria Cross (Australia's highest award for valour), was struck on the hand by a platypus spur while trying to rescue the stranded animal. He described the pain as worse than being struck by shrapnel. One month later he was still experiencing pain in that hand. In 2006, Payne reported discomfort and stiffness when carrying out some physical activities, such as using a hammer.

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PLATYPUS VENOM

"This dynamic cocktail of proteins and peptides boasts some really weird properties, like nerve growth factors (we will return to these), and a special D amino acid, whose appearance in a mammal is just wild. Platypus venom causes hyperalgesia, a hypersensitivity to pain. An intravenous administration of the venom (and possibly an anticoagulant) should inflame nerves, making them very aware of the slightest disturbance. Every hair follicle subjected to a light breeze or movement will cause a neighboring nerve to groan in agony. Bubbles of air in the digestive tract will cripple you with nausea and discomfort.

The subject’s body is now primed to amplify all other pain we will be applying to it. The effects of the venom seem to recur days or months after exposure and not even morphine is capable of offering relief to the pain."