When you think of the most dangerous animals, you probably picture fangs, claws, and stingers. But the animal kingdom is full of surprises! Some creatures have evolved to store and deliver their toxins in the most unexpected places. Get ready to be amazed by these ten animals with toxins hiding in strange places.
10. African Crested Rat
Imagine a cute, fluffy rodent that can kill an elephant. The African crested rat, found in East Africa, looks harmless, resembling a cross between a gray puffball and a skunk. But don’t let its appearance fool you. Its fur is laced with a potent poison. How does it acquire this deadly defense?
This rat chews on the bark and leaves of the Acokanthera schimperi tree, also known as the poison arrow tree. This tree contains ouabain, a powerful cardenolide toxin. The rat then spreads its toxic saliva onto specialized, porous hairs on its flanks. These hairs act like wicks, absorbing and retaining the poison even after they dry. When threatened, the rat displays black and white stripes, warning predators of its toxic defense. A bite results in a mouthful of potentially deadly poison.
9. Spanish Ribbed Newt
The Spanish ribbed newt, found in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, can grow up to 12 inches long. This newt has a truly unique defense mechanism: it can push its ribs through its skin! When threatened, the newt swings its ribs forward, piercing its body. But the defense doesn’t stop there.
The newt then secretes a poisonous, milky substance onto its skin. The combination of protruding ribs and toxins creates poisonous barbs. If a predator tries to bite the newt, the poisonous ribs cause severe pain or even death, allowing the newt to escape unharmed. Despite the bizarre nature of this defense, the newt can repeat it every time it’s attacked without suffering any lasting damage.
8. Spiny Dogfish
Spiny dogfish are small sharks found in the northern Pacific and Atlantic coasts. They have slender bodies and are gray to brown on top, with paler bellies. These sharks are known for their aggressive feeding habits, often hunting in packs. While most sharks are known for their teeth, spiny dogfish have another trick up their sleeve: venomous spines.
These sharks have two spines, one in front of each dorsal fin, that secrete a mild venom. They use these spines for defense, curling into a bow and striking at any potential threat. While spiny dogfish are abundant, they are generally harmless to humans, reserving their venom for smaller predators and fish.
7. Male Platypus
The platypus is one of the most unique mammals on Earth, with its duck-like bill, beaver-like tail, and otter-like body. But what many don’t know is that male platypuses are also venomous. They possess a hollow, horny spur on each inner hind ankle connected to a venom gland.
During mating season, males use these spurs to fight over females. They wrap their legs around their opponent and inject venom with the sharp spurs. While the venom isn’t deadly to humans, it can cause severe swelling and excruciating pain that morphine can’t relieve. This makes the platypus one of the few venomous mammals in the world.
8. Spur-Winged Goose
The spur-winged goose, the largest waterfowl in Africa, is a striking bird with black plumage and patches of white. These geese are incredibly agile, capable of flying at speeds up to 88 miles per hour. But their most unique feature is the sharp spurs on their wings, which they use to attack rivals. In some populations, these spurs can even be poisonous.
Spur-winged geese in Gambia eat blister beetles, insects that secrete cantharidin, a potent toxin. This toxin accumulates in the goose’s tissues, making their flesh poisonous. While the geese don’t use their toxic flesh to deter predators, the toxin is deadly to humans if ingested. Eating a cooked spur-winged goose can cause severe illness or even death.
5. Slow Loris
Slow lorises are small, adorable primates found in Southeast Asia. With their wide eyes and gentle demeanor, it’s hard to believe they are venomous. But slow lorises are the only venomous primates in the world! They produce venom in their armpits and deliver it through a toxic bite.
Slow lorises have a brachial gland in their inner upper arm that secretes a pungent oil. When threatened, they lick this gland and mix the oil with their saliva, creating a potent venom. This venom can kill small animals and cause anaphylactic shock, heart irregularities, and even death in humans. Slow lorises primarily use their venom to defend their territory and protect their young. Mothers will even groom their babies with the venom to deter predators.
4. Cane Toad
The cane toad, native to South and Central America, is a large, warty amphibian known for its poisonous nature. Cane toads are poisonous in all stages of their lives, from eggs to adults. Their most distinctive feature is their parotid glands, large swellings on their shoulders that secrete a milky poison called bufotoxin.
When threatened, the cane toad directs its parotid glands towards the attacker and releases the bufotoxin. This toxin can be sprayed over short distances or released when the glands are pressured. Bufotoxin is absorbed through the eyes, mouth, and nose, causing intense pain, temporary blindness, and inflammation in humans. The toxin is strong enough to kill many animals, including lizards, snakes, and pets.
3. Whitespotted Boxfish
Whitespotted boxfish, found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, have a unique appearance due to their box-like bodies made of fused plate scales. This internal armor protects their organs, leaving only their fins, tail, eyes, and mouth exposed. These fish also have a potent defense mechanism: they secrete a poisonous mucus through their skin.
When threatened, the whitespotted boxfish releases this mucus into the surrounding water to ward off or kill potential predators. This unique tactic means that only larger fish and sharks can prey on them. The poisonous mucus makes the whitespotted boxfish a formidable opponent despite its small size.
2. Horned Lizard
Horned lizards, found in arid regions of Central and North America, resemble little dragons with their horns and spiky scales. These lizards have a wide range of predators and employ several defense strategies to survive. One of their most bizarre defenses is the ability to shoot blood out of their eyes!
When threatened, the horned lizard contracts the muscles around its eyes, cutting off blood flow and increasing pressure. This causes the blood vessels to rupture, forcefully expelling blood in a stream that can travel over three feet. The blood is mixed with chemicals from the venomous harvester ants that the lizard eats, creating a burning sensation and repulsive taste. This deters predators and gives the horned lizard a chance to escape.
1. Puss Caterpillar
The puss caterpillar, the larval form of the southern flannel moth, is one of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States. These caterpillars resemble fluffy cotton balls but are actually covered in venomous spines. Contact with these spines injects a powerful toxin.
The pain from a puss caterpillar sting has been compared to blunt force trauma or being burned by a lit cigarette. While not deadly, the pain can last for days or weeks and often requires medical attention. Beneath its harmless appearance, the puss caterpillar hides a potent defense mechanism.
The animal kingdom never ceases to amaze with its incredible adaptations. These ten animals demonstrate the diverse and surprising ways that creatures can use toxins for defense and survival. From poisonous fur to venomous armpits, nature’s creativity knows no bounds.
What did you find most surprising? Leave a comment below!
