# PoisOrVen? (DD-097)

> Poison and venom are both toxins, but they're delivered differently. Venom is injected through a bite, sting or spine, as when a snake uses its fangs. A poison works when it's eaten, inhaled or absorbed, for example through the skin. Poison dart frogs (family Dendrobatidae) are poisonous: their skin secretes alkaloid toxins that can harm a predator that touches or eats them. Wild frogs build those toxins from their diet. The footage shows warning symbols, a snake bite demonstration on a hand, snakes and poison dart frogs, with the presenter.

- Department: Nature (also Science)
- First published: 2023-11-28
- Last updated: 2023-11-28
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/poisorven/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-097-F01**: Venom is injected. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Venom is injected))_
- **DD-097-F02**: Poison is eaten, inhaled or absorbed. _(Write-up · Exhibit C (Poison is absorbed))_

## Write-up

Bite it and die: poisonous. It bites you: venomous. The difference is how the toxin gets delivered.

1. **Delivery matters**: Poison and venom differ in how they're delivered.
2. **Venom is injected**: Venom is injected by a bite, sting or spine.
3. **Poison is absorbed**: A poison is eaten, inhaled or absorbed.
4. **Snakes**: Venomous snakes inject venom through fangs.
5. **Dart frogs**: Poison dart frogs secrete toxins from their skin.

## Related case files

- [Snake Supreme (DD-694)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/snake-supreme/): I linked more about snakes

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Venom must be injected into the bloodstream': I'd say into the body. Many venoms go into tissue, not directly into the blood.

## Video: PoisOrVen?: Bite It and Die: Poisonous. It Bites You: Venomous

- Duration: 26.0 s · Published: 2023-11-28
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C0MDdaJuPTD.mp4

### Transcript

The distinction between poison and venom lies in the method of delivery. DID YOU KNOW? Poison is harmful when it is absorbed, ingested, or inhaled. While venom must be injected into the bloodstream. If YOU BITE IT and you die, it's poisonous. If IT BITES YOU and you die it's venomous. So, a snake is venomous because it injects venom into its prey or potential threat through fangs, while a poison dart frog is poisonous because its skin secretes toxins that can be harmful if touched or ingested. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What separates poison from venom?**  
A: Injected or absorbed. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Delivery matters) · Wikipedia: Venom)_

**Q: How is venom delivered?**  
A: It's injected. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Venom is injected) · Wikipedia: Venom)_

**Q: How does a poison work?**  
A: Through skin, gut or lungs. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Poison is absorbed) · Wikipedia: Venom)_

**Q: How do venomous snakes deliver venom?**  
A: Some can spit, but fangs are the norm. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Snakes) · Wikipedia: Venom)_

**Q: Where do dart frogs carry their toxins?**  
A: That makes them poisonous. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Dart frogs) · Wikipedia: Poison dart frog)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Venom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venom)
- [Wikipedia: Poison dart frog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_dart_frog)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "PoisOrVen?." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-097, last updated Nov 28, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/poisorven/