eBook downloads, eBook resources & eBook authors
Describes the behavior and characteristics of different kinds of poisonous animals, including snakes, spiders and scorpions, insects, reptiles and amphibians and sea dwellers.
Venomous creatures such as snakes and spiders are the stuff of human nightmares. Yet toxins are a regular part of the animal world, an essential tool for hunting and defense. A surprising variety of insects, reptiles, and amphibians use venom in their daily lives, either to subdue their prey or to prevent falling victim to another predator. Precisely how many forms of wildlife are venomous is only now becoming clear. From the mighty King Cobra, which can reach over five meters in length, down to the diminutive but lethal Black Widow Spider, natural history expert Steve Backshall takes a fascinating look at more than 60 of the most venomous creatures across the world’s continents. Exciting accounts of Backshall’s personal encounters with some of nature's most dangerous animals help bring to life the world of natural venoms. He explains how different types of toxins work and highlights how some are used in medicine, including in the treatment of chronic disease in humans. A final chapter looks at the future for venomous wildlife and at why conservation measures are urgently required to ensure its continued survival. The first book of its kind on this fascinating subject, Venomous Animals of the World is illustrated throughout with stunning color photographs.
Describes dangerous mammals, reptiles, spiders, insects, flowers, shrubs, trees, and mushrooms.
Life is a struggle on both land and in the sea and many animals have developed chemical weapons, for attack or defence. These toxins, venoms or poisons, are diverse in both structure and function and are delivered to victims in equally diverse ways. Humans frequently encounter these venomous and poisonous animals and all too often suffer unpleasant consequences including death, be it from a bite or sting causing envenoming, or poisoning after eating the wrong animal. The author, toxicologist at the Department of Forensic Science of the University of Frankfurt, Germany, provides expert information for biologists, toxicologists, pharmacists, physicians, but also for travelers.
Provides warnings about potentially life-threatening species, suggests precautions to avoid envenomation, and outlines procedures in the event of envenomation, plus information on appearance, behavior and ecological roles.
The Handbook of Clinical Toxicology of Animal Venoms is the first concise, one-volume book devoted to this important subject. The editors are internationally recognized authorities in the biology and clinical aspects of venomous and poisonous animals, and the chapter authors are world leaders in their respective fields of toxicology. All aspects of the topic are covered including information on the biology and taxonomy of poisonous animals, their venom or poison, diagnosis, and general treatment principles and specific treatment. The most up-to-date list of available antivenoms is provided. Coverage of venomous and poisonous animals is comprehensive, with thorough discussions on shellfish poisoning, ciguatera, fugu, coelenterates, stingrays, venous fish, blue-ringed octopus, sea-snakes, scorpions, spiders, insects, and gila lizards. Individual chapters focus on snakes and snakebite in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, Central America, and South America. Nearly all clinical chapters have been written by clinicians with extensive experience treating the particular type of animal envenoming or poisoning under consideration. No other book brings together such a wealth of information in this field, and no other book provides it in a format useful to clinicians charged with the responsibility of treating envenomed or poisoned patients. The Handbook of Clinical Toxicology of Animal Venoms is an essential addition to all medical libraries, emergency departments, toxicology departments, poison information centers, and invaluable to all professionals working in these fields.
What makes some animals dangerous? Which animals are the fastest? And biggest? How do they hunt? Why are people more dangerous to animals than animals are to people? Find out all the answers in this book, and more, with photographs, step-by-step illustrations, simple text and links to websites with video clips and activities.
Venomous Animals and their Venoms focuses on the comprehensive presentation of the entire field of the venomous members of the animal kingdom, chemistry and biochemistry of venoms, and pharmacological actions and their antigenic properties. The selection first offers information on the development of knowledge about venoms and the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and its venomous characteristics, including biology, venom apparatus, properties of venom, and significance of venom apparatus in Ornithorhynchus. The text then elaborates on the classification, biology, and description of the venom apparatus of insectivores of the genera Solenodon, Neomys, and Blarina and the chemistry and pharmacology of insectivore venoms. The publication takes a look at karyotypes, sex chromosomes, and chromosomal evolution in snakes and coagulant, proteolytic, and hemolytic properties of some snake venoms. Topics include hemolytic property, karyotypes of South American snakes, sex chromosomes, methods for the study of chromosomes of reptiles, and chromosomal evolution. The selection is a vital source of data for readers interested in venomous animals and their venoms.
