Abstract

The animal kingdom is populated by a vast variety of creatures. Every phylum within the animal kingdom contains species that produce poisons or venoms. Poisons are compounds produced in non-specialized tissues as secondary products of metabolism that accumulate in the host animal or that accumulate in predators following ingestion of prey. In contrast, venoms are produced in specialized tissues or glands, and venomous animals have developed a variety of venom apparatuses to deliver their venom to target animals—a process termed envenomation. Most venoms and poisons are not composed of a single chemical substance but, rather, are mixtures of a variety of chemical compounds like peptides, amines, serotonin, quinones, polypeptides and enzymes that often act synergistically to produce their toxic effects. These compounds are collectively termed toxins and toxins produced by members of the animal kingdom are collectively termed zootoxins. Bites and stings from arthropods and snakes certainly can occur in any species, and the potential for oral exposure to animals such as poisonous toads, snakes, or insects will vary with the region and environment.

Keywords : Zootoxins, Animals