venom
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Article
15 sectionsContents
- Evolution
- Mechanisms
- Taxonomic range
- Arthropods
- Other invertebrates
- Vertebrates
- Fish
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
- Mammals
- Venom and humans
- Resistance
- Non-animal venoms
- See also
- References
thumb|upright=1.35|Wasp [[stinger with a droplet of venom]]
Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved venom apparatus, such as fangs or a stinger, in a process called envenomation. Venom is often distinguished from poison, which is a toxin that is passively delivered by being ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, and toxungen, which is actively transferred to the external surface of another animal via a physical delivery mechanism.