Steve Backshall's Venom

Book excerpt: An exciting look at how various animals use venom for survival. 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 species such as the King Cobra, Lionfish, Fat-tail Scorpion and Poison Dart-frog to the diminutive but lethal Black Widow Spider, Venom takes a fascinating look at the different types of natural venoms. TV presenter Steve Backshall needs no introduction following his performances on TV series such as Deadly 60 and Lost Land of ... 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. Stunning colour photographs and exciting accounts of Steve's own encounters with some of these animals bring the world of natural venom alive.