Jul 18, 2023
By: NewsPointBox jellyfish are considered highly deadly due to their potent toxins. They have caused numerous mysterious deaths worldwide, attacking the heart, nervous system, and skin cells. Quick death or shock-induced drowning is possible.
Gila monster bites are excruciatingly painful but not fatal to humans. Their venom, a mild neurotoxin produced in salivary glands, holds the potential for treating type 2 diabetes with a hormone found in the toxic saliva.
Funnel-web spiders produce potent venom toxic to primates but harmless to many animals due to their antibodies. Scientists discovered a molecule in the venom that could serve as a heart attack treatment, blocking the 'cell death message.'
Cone snails employ hollow, venom-filled harpoons to immobilise prey. Their venom contains a non-opioid painkiller stronger than morphine. Research is ongoing to explore other components for treating diseases like Alzheimer's, epilepsy and pain relief for cancer and HIV patients.
Stonefish, with their camouflaged appearance, pose a danger to unsuspecting swimmers. Their needle-like dorsal fin spines deliver an excruciatingly painful and potentially lethal sting. While their venom has no medicinal use, they are consumed as a delicacy in parts of Asia.
Inland Taipans are the world's most venomous snakes. Although their bites are rare due to their shy nature, their venom's median lethal dose is exceptionally high. The small but aggressive saw-scaled viper holds the record for snakebite mortality.
The duck-billed platypus, a venomous mammal, defends itself with venom-delivering ankle spurs. While not fatal to humans, their venomous kicks can paralyse and kill smaller animals. Winston Churchill found them fascinating.
Slow lorises, deceptively cute, are the only venomous primates. Their venom, activated by combining an oil secreted by the brachial gland with saliva, serves as a chemical defence and in territorial fights. They are mistreated in the illegal pet trade.
Shrews possess venomous bites to paralyse prey, delivering toxins through grooves in their teeth. The venom of the northern short-tailed shrew shows medical potential, with a component under study for ovarian cancer treatment.
European moles employ toxic saliva to paralyse earthworms, ensuring fresh food storage. No medical applications are known for their venom, but these elusive creatures are known for their lawn-damaging soil piles.
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