Poison vs Venom - Difference and Comparison

Poison vs Venom

The terms poison and venom are often used interchangeably, but they actually have very different meanings. It is the delivery method that distinguishes one from the other.

Poison is absorbed or ingested; a poisonous animal can only deliver toxic chemicals if another animal touches or eats it.

Venom, on the other hand, is always injected. Every venomous animal has a mechanism to inject toxins directly into another animal. Stab with tails. Slash with spines. Pierce with fangs. Spike with spurs. Shoot with harpoons. Chew with teeth.

For example, frogs are usually poisonous while snakes are usually venomous.

Comparison chart

Improve this chart	Poison	Venom
Purpose:	Inflicts pain or illness	Inflicts pain or illness
Delivery method:	Absorption or ingestion	Injection
Form:	Fluid, gas or some type of solid	Usually fluid

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Comments: Poison vs Venom

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Anonymous comments

Venom is a type of poison. Poison is a broad category of a substance that can cause illness, injury, or death, especially by chemical means. Poison can be ingested, inhaled, absorbed, applied, injected, or developed in the body. Venom specifically refers to the poisonous secretions of an animal (insect, spiders, scorpions, etc.) usually transmitted by a bite or sting.
131.✗.✗.122 on 2012-10-03 18:45:16

that's not true. Venom is different from poison, but the difference is not in the method of delivery, but rather in purpose. Venom's primary function is to assist digestion- the victim gets paralyzed, ingested and then digested. If venom is inhaled or touched (as long as there is no open wound through which venom can get into bloodstream) you will be fine. I have seen people holding venomous frogs, the ones that produce toxins on the surface of their skin; and no one was injured. You can even consume venom, and again, if you do not have a stomach sore, you might end up having diarrhea, but that is it. Poison, on the other hand, is produced mainly as a defense tool. If one inhales or touches it, one will be, well, poisoned. It can get through you skin contact and or inhaling the air, and it can be fatal.
174.✗.✗.173 on 2012-09-17 00:19:29

@stephen huber to bad they cant kill you.....
205.✗.✗.35 on 2012-08-03 04:21:18

This is perfect proof to my science teacher that venom and poison are different things?
74.✗.✗.45 on 2011-12-02 01:03:54