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We often hear people talking about toxic and poisonous animals and you would be easily forgiven if you think they mean the same thing. The truth is that they actually mean completely different things, but quite often the two terms are used interchangeably.
So, how similar are they? Well, both venomous and venomous animals use poisons as a weapon and this is used to kill prey or to defend themselves from predators. However, the main difference is how they deliver it, and that determines whether an animal is venomous or poisonous. Join us as we learn all about the differences between venomous and venomous animals.
Comparing poisonous animals to poisonous animals
Toxic and poisonous are both words that can be both terrifying and fascinating when we talk about animals, especially when it comes to some of the deadliest animals in the world. While an easy mistake to make, they are often used incorrectly. There are actually pretty big differences between venomous and venomous animals. But to make it even more interesting (and confusing), there are even some animals that are both poisonous and toxic.
Check out the chart below to learn some of the key differences.
| toxic | Toxic | |
| Delivery method: | Injected – must cause a wound to deliver it | Inhaled, eaten or touched |
| Where does the poison come from? | The animal generates its own poison | From their habitat or something they ate |
The 2 main differences between poisonous animals and poisonous animals
Toxic vs Toxic: Delivery Method
The main difference between venomous and venomous animals is in the delivery method of the toxin. Venom must be injected to be effective and therefore the method of administration must cause a wound. Venom can be injected through fangs, stingers, or spines. By injecting the venom directly into the body, it bypasses the digestive system and enters the bloodstream. Venomous animals usually use their venom to kill or subdue their prey. One of the most interesting poisonous animals is the komodo dragon. Komodo dragons are venomous but have no fangs, stingers or spines. Instead, they have poisonous saliva that gets into the bodies of their prey when they bite them.
In venomous animals, however, the venom must be ingested — either by being touched (absorbed through the skin), eaten, or inhaled. This is known as passive delivery. Venomous animals usually only use their venom as a defense mechanism to avoid being eaten by a predator. Many venomous animals secrete their venom through their skin – such as venomous frogs. However, Puffer fish contain tetrodotoxin in their liver, ovaries and intestines, making them extremely dangerous to eat and touch.
Toxic vs Toxic: Where Does the Toxin Come From?
Another major difference between venomous and poisonous animals is where their venom or poison comes from. Venomous animals generate their own venom in their bodies and have a specialized method of delivering it (fangs, stingers, spines). Venom is extremely complex and evolved for the specific purpose of killing or subduing prey. This is one of the reasons it must be injected into the bloodstream to be effective.
However, poisonous animals are the opposite. Instead, most venomous animals get their toxin from their environment or from animals or plants they have eaten. This could be from bacteria in their environment or from animals that eat them, or even from poisonous plants. poisonous frogs get their poison from the ants, beetles, and other small ones insects which they eat that contain the poison. The frogs are not harmed when they eat it, but that poison is then secreted through their skin, making them extremely dangerous to touch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are there any animals that are both poisonous and poisonous?
Yes, there are a few animals that are both poisonous and poisonous. The Asian tiger snake is a good example. Asian tiger snakes are venomous but also venomous. They have rows of glands on their necks that release toxins from the toxins toads that they eat. The blue ringed octopus is another example because they have a venomous bite, but are also poisonous when eaten.
What is the most poisonous animal in the world?
The most poisonous animal in the world is the Inland Taipan snake. Inland taipans are endemic to Australia and contain enough poison to kill a hundred people with one bite.
What is the most poisonous animal in the world?
The most poisonous animal in the world is widely regarded as the Puffer fish. Puffer fish contain a potent toxin – tetrodotoxin – in their liver, ovaries and gut, which is 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide. One pufferfish alone contains enough toxin to kill 30 adults and there is no known antidote.
Is the komodo dragon the only venomous animal that has a venomous bite but no canine teeth?
No, the slow loris is an Asian primate with a venomous bite. Slow loris have a sweat gland under their arm that produces venom. Slow loris lick the sweat gland and the toxins mix with their saliva, producing a venomous bite.
Are poisonous and poisonous animals brightly colored?
Yes, most venomous animals and some (though not all) venomous animals are brightly colored. This acts as a warning signal to predators that they are poisonous in the hope that the predator decides not to eat them. However, there are some non-venomous and non-venomous animals that mimic the colors of dangerous ones. This is to try and warn predators to stay away from them for the same reason. A good example of this is the appearance of milk snakes that are brightly colored, much like the venomous
coral snake.
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