Venomous stings and bites
Venom is a Poison made by an animal’s body and injected
into another animal. A venomous animal has a sting, spines, or
specialized teeth attached to venom-making glands. A poisonous
animal, on the other hand, must usually be touched or eaten by
another animal for the poison to work. A poisonous animal often
has a bad taste, foul smell, or bright color pattern warning that it
is dangerous to eat.
Some venomous animals use venom to catch their own prey. They subdue or kill their prey by biting or stinging it. Snakes, wasps, and spiders are examples of animals that catch prey in this way. On the other hand, honeybees do not. They use their venom only for defense.
Like poisonous animals, some venomous animals exhibit warning colors. Many venomous animals, however, are camouflaged. This helps them sneak up on prey.
Many animals’ venom is strong enough only to harm or kill its smaller prey. But some venom can harm or even kill much larger animals, too. Some of the world’s stinging animals have this powerful venom.
Some venomous animals use venom to catch their own prey. They subdue or kill their prey by biting or stinging it. Snakes, wasps, and spiders are examples of animals that catch prey in this way. On the other hand, honeybees do not. They use their venom only for defense.
Like poisonous animals, some venomous animals exhibit warning colors. Many venomous animals, however, are camouflaged. This helps them sneak up on prey.
Many animals’ venom is strong enough only to harm or kill its smaller prey. But some venom can harm or even kill much larger animals, too. Some of the world’s stinging animals have this powerful venom.
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