Venom

A poisonous liquid that some animals use to catch food or defend themselves.

What is it?

Venom is a toxin that animals inject into other animals through bites or stings. The Gila monster is one of the few venomous lizards. It uses its venom to defend itself from predators. Other venomous animals include snakes, spiders, and scorpions. Venom can cause pain, paralysis, or even death in prey. The Eastern Long-nosed Viper is a venomous snake that uses its venom to catch small animals and defend itself. The Black Mamba is another venomous snake; its venom is highly potent and can kill a human if untreated. The Puff Adder also uses its venom to kill prey and defend itself. Its venom is very strong and causes many snakebite deaths in Africa. The Bulgar Dagh mountain viper is also venomous; it uses its venom to catch prey and defend itself. The Western Cottonmouth is a venomous pit viper that uses its venom to immobilize prey like fish, frogs, and small mammals. Its venom contains enzymes that break down tissue and cause paralysis. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake has powerful venom that it uses to kill small mammals. The Southern Cantil also uses its venom to catch prey and defend itself.

Why it matters

Venom helps animals survive, but it can also be dangerous to humans. Studying venom helps scientists develop medicines and antivenoms.

Where you've seen it

This list grows as you capture more exhibits about venom.

毒液

一些动物用来捕捉食物或自卫的有毒液体。

这是什么？

毒液是动物通过咬或刺注入其他动物体内的毒素。吉拉毒蜥是少数有毒的蜥蜴之一。它用毒液自卫。其他有毒动物包括蛇、蜘蛛和蝎子。毒液可引起疼痛、麻痹甚至死亡。东方长鼻蝰是一种毒蛇，用毒液捕捉小动物和自卫。黑曼巴是另一种毒蛇；其毒液非常强效，若不治疗可致人死亡。鼓腹咝蝰也用毒液杀死猎物和自卫。其毒液非常强烈，在非洲造成许多蛇咬死亡。布尔加达格山蝰也有毒；它用毒液捕捉猎物和自卫。西部棉口蛇是一种有毒的蝮蛇，用毒液使鱼、青蛙和小型哺乳动物等猎物瘫痪。其毒液含有分解组织和引起麻痹的酶。东部菱背响尾蛇有强大的毒液，用于杀死小型哺乳动物。南方坎蒂尔蛇也用毒液捕捉猎物和自卫。