Venom: The Secrets of Nature's Deadliest Weapon [Paperback]

Venombrings readers face to face with some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet, including jellyfish, snakes, and wasps, as it uncovers the story of venom. The book explores how venom is used for predation, defense, competition, and communication by an incredible diversity of species. It examines the unique methods that these species have evolved to create and deliver their deadly toxins. The book traces venom back to its origin in early jellyfish and sea anemones, and reveals how venoms have evolved dozens of times independently all across the animal kingdom since that time. And finally, it examines the relationships between these dangerous creatures and humans. Humans have not only learned to live with them, but also to benefit from them: scientists increasingly are harnessing the power of venom to create new drugs, treatments, and anti-venoms.BOOKLIST
Venom! The very word inspires awe and terror. After all, who hasn’t seen a rattlesnake bite a mouse, at least on TV? But as research scientists Jenner and Undheim establish in this look at some of the most dangerous animals in the world, venom is one of evolution’s most elegant means of procuring food and defending oneself. First the authors define the difference between poisonous and venomous (poisons are transferred passively, venoms are delivered actively), then they move on to survey the different types of venom, the broad range of venomous animals, and the different ways venoms are delivered. Venoms are usually cocktails of different toxins, which can affect the victim in more than one way and can be subtle or brutal. The evolution of venom is a fascinating study, with venomous animals appearing in many taxa and striking similarities showing up in only distantly related species. The use of venoms in pharmaceuticals shows how the power of these toxins can be harnessed to fight disease and even to counter the damage caused by the venom itself.

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