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Hemlock is toxic, while rattlesnakes are venomous. Both terms describe harmful substances, but what truly separates poison from venom?
The key difference lies in how each species deploys its defense. Venom is injected—whether by a snake’s bite, a bee's sting, or the spiny projections of a frog’s head. Poison, on the other hand, is secreted through the skin, like with poison dart frogs or certain bird species. Poisons inflict harm through touch, ingestion, or inhalation, while venom is directly injected into a wound.
If you’re faced with the choice between a venomous snake bite and touching a poisonous frog, the snake might be the safer bet. Interestingly, not all snake bites involve venom: around 20% or more of bites from venomous snakes are ‘dry bites,’ meaning the bite causes a wound but no venom is injected. Poisonous creatures, however, cannot decide when to release their toxins.
For further details, take a look at this TED-Ed explanation:
This article was first published in 2015.
