Venomous Creatures

Among natures many wonders and mysteries, poisons and venoms are among the most complex. Venoms are widespread among the animal and plant kingdoms, ranging from small insects to marine invertebrates to common houseplants. Each type of venom and poison possesses a unique composition and the effects of these toxins vary greatly. Poisons and venoms are similar in that they are naturally-occurring and all have specific characteristics and effects. Venoms are classified by how they affect body systems in different ways. These include neurotoxins, myotoxins, hemotoxins, hemorrhagins, hemolysins, nephrotoxins, cardio toxins, and necrotoxins, which will all be explained. Venom is often injected by bite from animals as a form of hunting or as self-defense. Poison, on the other hand, is most commonly associated with digestion of an ‘infected’ tissue. Venoms can be categorized by animals they are used by or by that venom’s affects. Poisons are found in some animals and in many plan...