Venom or Poison?
Venomous and poisonous animals have toxins in their bodies. The way the toxins are delivered to their prey or predators differs.
Venom is usually injected using fangs or sharp stings. Some snakes have venomous fangs as do spiders and centipedes. Some of the wasps and bees have a venomous sting. There are venomous fish such as lionfish which have venomous dorsal spines and even venomous mammals such as the platypus which has venomous spurs on its hind legs.
Poison is eaten or absorbed into the body. Poisonous animals usually have toxins in their skin so if the animal is bitten or eaten the predator will be poisoned. Some frogs, newts and toads are poisonous.
©
Dan Ambrose & Martin Rapley 2005