Venom

Poison is an everyday part of the animal world, and an essential tool for hunting and defence. A wide variety of insects, reptiles and amphibians use toxins to subdue their prey or to stop becoming prey to another predator. Even some mammals and birds resort to poison as a means of securing a meal or deterring attack! From the nine-feet long Komodo Dragon through species such as the King Cobra, Lionfish, Fat-tail Scorpion and Poison Dart-frog to the diminutive but lethal Black Widow Spider, author Steve Backshall takes a fascinating look at the different types of natural venoms. On a tour of the world's continents, he looks at over 60 of the most venomous creatures, describing their main characteristics and explaining how they administer their venom and what its effects are. Colour photographs and exciting accounts of Steve's own encounters with some of these animals bring the world of natural venom alive. He also looks at the science of natural toxins, and at how natural venoms are increasingly used in medicine and for the treatment of chronic disease in humans.