Creating life-saving drugs from deadly venom

When faced with a scorpion, poisonous snake, jellyfish or tarantula, most people would beat a hasty retreat. For a team of scientists investigating the therapeutic potential of their venom, these are however very treasured ...

Demand for exotic pets pushes species to the brink

Poisonous frogs, long-necked turtles, bears and chimpanzees may not be everyone's idea of an animal companion, but experts warn that demand for exotic pets is pushing some species closer to extinction.

Biting back: Snake venom contains toxic clotting factors

The powerful venom of the saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus contains both anticoagulants and coagulants finds a study published in the launch edition of BioMed Central's open access journal Journal of Venomous Animals and ...

Size matters in lizard research

(PhysOrg.com) -- For a species whose name suggests otherwise, Gila monsters are actually quite shy. Their size and bite are the only monstrous things about these animals, which are the second-largest and one of only two venomous ...

Brazil fire burns huge collection of dead snakes

(AP) -- A fire in Brazil destroyed what may be the world's largest scientific collection of dead snakes, spiders and scorpions that served as the main source for research on many species, scientists said Sunday.

Tentacles of venom: New study reveals all octopuses are venomous

Once thought to be only the realm of the blue-ringed octopus, researchers have now shown that all octopuses and cuttlefish, and some squid are venomous. The work indicates that they all share a common, ancient venomous ancestor ...

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