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Have you heard the words venomous and poisonous in reference to animals? Do you know what they mean?

There is a big difference between venomous organisms like this black widow spider and poisonous animals like some frogs. It is easy to tell the difference between a venomous animal and a poisonous animal if you if you understand how they use the toxins.

Venomous animals store toxins internally and release them through biting or stinging, disabling what ever organism they bite or sting. Poisonous animals usually secrete toxins through their skin so that whatever creature bites or touches them is poisoned. The toxins have different uses. Venomous animals use toxins to help them capture prey. Poisonous animals use toxins to defend themselves. One uses toxins to make dinner while the other uses toxins so they aren’t dinner.

Poison Dart Frog

One of the most well-known poisonous animals is the poison dart frog, also known as the poison frog or poison arrow frog who lives in Central and Southern America. The dart frog eats poisonous insects, absorbs the poison from the insects and then secretes it through its skin. Humans have used it as medicine and to poison their arrows (which is how it got its name).

Quick Fact: Dart frogs are not poisonous in captivity because they are not fed the poisonous ants and mites they eat in the wild. It is the insects they eat that make the frogs poisonous.

Box Jellyfish

Most venomous animals are reptiles, amphibians, insects or fish. One of the most venomous creatures on the planet is the box jellyfish. The box jellyfish is especially unique because it actively follows and hunts its prey. Most jellyfish just drift until they happen to capture something. It is still not known how the box jellies see their prey. They have eyes, but no brain, so scientists do not know how the jellyfish understand what they see. They weigh up to four pounds, and can have tentacles up to ten feet long.

Quick Fact: The sea turtle is one of the only animals who are not hurt by box jelly venom.

Do you know of more poisonous or venomous animals? Have you ever seen one in real life?