* Venom vs. Poison: It's important to distinguish between venom and poison. Venom is injected, usually through fangs or stings, while poison is ingested or absorbed through the skin. Animals with poisonous skin are more accurately described as poisonous or toxic.
* Defensive Mechanism: The primary reason animals have poisonous skin is for defense. It's a powerful deterrent against predators.
* Taste: The toxins can make the animal taste awful, causing predators to avoid them in the future.
* Physical Effects: The toxins can cause irritation, pain, or even paralysis in predators that try to eat them.
* Types of Toxins: The types of toxins produced vary depending on the animal. Some common examples include:
* Alkaloids: Found in amphibians like poison dart frogs.
* Batrachotoxin: Extremely potent neurotoxin found in some South American frogs.
* Histamine: Found in some insects, causing inflammation and itching.
* Cyanide: Present in some millipedes.
* Evolutionary Adaptation: Poisonous skin is an evolutionary adaptation that has helped these animals survive. The effectiveness of these toxins is often dependent on the predator's vulnerability and the type of toxin produced.
Examples of Animals with Poisonous Skin:
* Poison dart frogs: These brightly colored amphibians are famous for their highly toxic skin.
* Newts: Some newts, like the rough-skinned newt, have toxins that can cause severe skin irritation.
* Millipedes: Some millipedes have cyanide-containing glands in their bodies that can release toxins when threatened.
* Some fish: The pufferfish is a good example. Its toxins can be deadly.
Important Note: It's crucial to remember that handling any animal suspected of having poisonous skin should be avoided. Even if it's a small creature, the toxins can be harmful to humans.