
The swollen 'fat tail' contains the venom-gland muscle — the thicker the tail, the more dangerous the scorpion species.

The swollen 'fat tail' contains the venom-gland muscle — the thicker the tail, the more dangerous the scorpion species.

Asian giant hornet venom contains mandaratoxin, a peptide that can dissolve human tissue at the sting site.

Guinness lists Phoneutria as the most venomous spider on Earth — toxicity measured per microgram of venom.

Brown recluse venom contains sphingomyelinase D — a tissue-destroying enzyme that produces 'loxoscelism' lesions that take weeks to heal.

Deathstalker venom is the most expensive liquid on Earth — extraction yields are tiny and lab prices reach $39 million per gallon.

Fire ant stings cause distinctive pustules and intense burning — the venom is unique in being almost entirely alkaloid (solenopsin), not protein.

A centipede's front pair of legs aren't legs — they're modified into venom-injecting fangs called forcipules.