Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is unique about the order Afrosoricida in the context of mammals?
What is unique about the order Afrosoricida in the context of mammals?
What is the main purpose of the venom produced by poisonous mammals?
What is the main purpose of the venom produced by poisonous mammals?
Which insect is known for spreading malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus?
Which insect is known for spreading malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus?
Which of the following snake families is NOT associated with venomous snakes?
Which of the following snake families is NOT associated with venomous snakes?
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What is the primary function of the barbed tail of a stingray?
What is the primary function of the barbed tail of a stingray?
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Which of the following big cats is known for being the most deadly to humans?
Which of the following big cats is known for being the most deadly to humans?
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Which marine animal is known for its venomous saliva?
Which marine animal is known for its venomous saliva?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of venomous snake?
Which of the following is NOT a type of venomous snake?
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Study Notes
Poisonous Mammals
- Only a few mammals are poisonous, and they all belong to the order Afrosoricida
- Examples:
- Solenodon (Cuban solenodon and Haitian solenodon)
- Tenrecs (some species)
- These mammals have glands in their teeth, legs, or spines that produce toxic secretions
- The venom is used for defense and predation, and can be deadly to humans if ingested or injected
Deadly Insects
- Insects that can cause serious harm or death to humans:
- Mosquitoes (malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus)
- Tsetse flies (sleeping sickness)
- Kissing bugs (Chagas disease)
- Asian giant hornets (allergic reactions and anaphylaxis)
- Some insects can also cause painful stings or bites, such as:
- Bullet ants (painful sting)
- Tarantula hawks (painful sting)
- Australian paralysis ticks (paralysis and respiratory failure)
Venomous Snakes
- Venomous snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica
- Most venomous snakes belong to the families:
- Viperidae (vipers)
- Elapidae (cobras, coral snakes, and taipans)
- Hydrophiidae (sea snakes)
- Deadly venomous snakes include:
- Inland taipan (world's most venomous snake)
- Eastern brown snake
- Black mamba
- Blue krait
- Cape cobra
Marine Animals
- Many marine animals can be dangerous to humans, including:
- Jellyfish (box jellyfish, sea nettles)
- Sea snakes (most venomous snakes in the sea)
- Stingrays (barbed tails can cause serious injury)
- Sharks (some species, like great whites and tiger sharks)
- Octopuses (blue-ringed octopus, venomous saliva)
Wild Predators
- Large predators that can be deadly to humans:
- Big cats (lions, tigers, leopards)
- Bears (grizzly bears, polar bears)
- Wolves (in rare cases, they can attack humans)
- Crocodiles and alligators (can be deadly in close encounters)
- Hippopotamuses (responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other large animal)
Poisonous Mammals
- Only a few mammals are poisonous, belonging to the order Afrosoricida.
- Solenodon (Cuban solenodon and Haitian solenodon) are examples of poisonous mammals.
- Tenrecs (some species) are also poisonous mammals.
- These mammals have glands in their teeth, legs, or spines that produce toxic secretions.
- The venom is used for defense and predation, and can be deadly to humans if ingested or injected.
Deadly Insects
- Mosquitoes can transmit malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus.
- Tsetse flies can transmit sleeping sickness.
- Kissing bugs can transmit Chagas disease.
- Asian giant hornets can cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
- Bullet ants are known for their extremely painful sting.
- Tarantula hawks can inflict painful stings.
- Australian paralysis ticks can cause paralysis and respiratory failure.
Venomous Snakes
- Venomous snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica.
- Most venomous snakes belong to the Viperidae, Elapidae, and Hydrophiidae families.
- The inland taipan is considered the world's most venomous snake.
- The eastern brown snake, black mamba, blue krait, and cape cobra are also deadly venomous snakes.
Marine Animals
- Box jellyfish and sea nettles are examples of jellyfish that can be deadly to humans.
- Sea snakes are the most venomous snakes in the sea.
- Stingrays have barbed tails that can cause serious injury.
- Some shark species, such as great whites and tiger sharks, can be deadly to humans.
- The blue-ringed octopus has venomous saliva.
Wild Predators
- Big cats, including lions, tigers, and leopards, can be deadly to humans.
- Grizzly bears and polar bears are examples of bears that can be deadly to humans.
- In rare cases, wolves can attack humans.
- Crocodiles and alligators can be deadly in close encounters.
- Hippopotamuses are responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other large animal.
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Description
Discover the few mammals that are poisonous and the deadly insects that can cause serious harm to humans. Learn about their unique features and how they use their venom for defense and predation.
