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Poisonous Creaters
What is Poison?
Kind of Poison
Treatment
Someone once
said, "What you don't know can't hurt you." Here's an argument against that:
It is good to know if something is poisonous before you approach it (or it
approaches you). We unearthed 10 unlikely poisonous creatures in order to
give you a better chance next time you head into the wild kingdom.
10 Poisonous Creatures
1. Hooded Pitohui:
The hooded pitohui of New Guinea is the only documented example of a
poisonous bird. In 1992 researchers discovered that the feathers and skin of
the hooded pitohui contain a powerful neurotoxin called homobatrachotoxin,
which causes numbness and tingling skin in people who touched the birds.
2. Stonefish:
The stonefish is one of the most venomous vertebrates known. Its sharp
dorsal spines contain enough poison to kill an adult human who is
unfortunate enough to step on one.
3. Platypus:
Adult male platypuses have a poison gland in their hind legs.
They can eject poison out of a hollow, horny spur on their ankle.
4. Browntail Moth:
The browntail moth caterpillar is covered with white and brown hairs. The
brown hairs are the ones you have to look out for: They are barbed and
contain a poisonous substance, and are frequently carried by the wind after
the caterpillars molt. These hairs can cause human respiratory problems and
an irritating skin rash.
5. Centipede:
One of a centipede's many pairs of legs has especially strong
joints and end in a sharp claw into which a poison gland opens. These legs
are used for seizing and killing prey. In some species, the bite is
poisonous to humans.
6. Stingrays:
Believe it or not, stingrays are the most common cause of severe fish
stings. They have whip-like tails that have sharp, sometimes barbed spines
at the base. Through the spines, the stingray can inflict severe wounds,
injecting venom from poison glands. Stingrays are bottom-dwellers usually
found in warm, shallow waters, so watch where you walk in the water.
7. Salamander:
Some salamanders have poison-secreting glands in their skin. The ones
equipped with poison-producing skin glands are often brightly colored with
conspicuous markings. This warns predators to stay away.
8. Shrew:
Some species of the small, shy shrew have poisonous saliva that they use to
immobilize their prey. These venomous shrews usually eat fish, frogs, small
mice, and newts--not people.
9. Catfish:
The dorsal and pectoral fins of many species of catfish are edged
with poisonous spines. The spines are used for defense and can inflict
severe wounds.
10. Poison Arrow Frog:
The poison arrow frog is only one of several amphibious species that secrete
toxins from glands in its skin. The poison arrow frog uses its poison to
kill potential predators. Native people of Central and South America use the
toxin to poison the tips of arrows.
What is Poison?
Poison, any substance that produces disease conditions or tissue injury when
absorbed into the body. Most poisons taken in sufficient quantity are
lethal.
Kinds of Poison
Poisons are usually classified as corrosives,
irritants, or
narcotics. Corrosives,
which include hydrochloric acid and ammonia, cause local tissue destruction,
or "burning." If they are swallowed, vomiting occurs immediately.
Irritants, such as arsenic, mercury,
and laxatives, act directly on mucous membranes, causing gastrointestinal
irritation accompanied by pain and vomiting. Irritants also include
cumulative poisons, which can be absorbed gradually without apparent harm
until they suddenly take effect. Narcotics
act upon the central nervous system or vital organs and can cause coma,
convulsions, or delirium. Narcotics include alcohol, turpentine, strychnine,
and the botulin toxin that causes acute food poisoning .
Blood poisoning is a condition that occurs when harmful microorganisms
invade the bloodstream. Most poison gases also affect the bloodstream by
restricting the body's ability to absorb oxygen. These poisons are often
considered a separate category called asphyxiants, a group that includes
carbon monoxide.
Treatment
Various treatments may counteract the effect of a poison. In most cases
swallowing large quantities of water or milk to dilute the poison is
advisable. Emetics are substances that induce vomiting and rid the stomach
of poisons, although they must not be given to a person who has swallowed a
corrosive poison. An antidote counteracts the effects of a poison chemically
by neutralizing it, rendering it insoluble, absorbing it, or isolating it.
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