Venom

What Is Venom?

Venom is a special kind of liquid made by many animals. It helps them catch food or stay safe. Animals like spiders, bees, and some snakes have special parts, such as fangs or stingers, to deliver venom to other creatures.

Venom works differently from poison. Poison can be touched or eaten to affect someone, but venom is always injected directly into another animal.

Animals That Use Venom

Many animals use venom, both on land and in water. Spiders use fangs to inject venom, while scorpions and bees use stingers. Even some fish, like stingrays, have venom to defend themselves.

Some snakes, such as the prairie rattlesnake, make venom in special glands and use their fangs to deliver it. Other animals, like the Gila monster and certain bats, also have venom. Venom helps these animals catch prey or protect themselves from danger.

Venom and Helping People

Scientists study venoms because they can help treat some health problems. For example, proteins from snake venom are being used to help people with conditions like thrombosis and arthritis. The venom of the Gila monster has a substance that helps people with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers are excited about finding new ways that venoms can improve human health. By studying the proteins in venoms, they hope to discover more helpful treatments for many diseases.