Venom vs. Poison: What’s the Difference?

venom and poison are the same thing? Think again. In this video, Maynard Okereke (@hiphopscienceshow) unpacks one of the most common misconceptions in the animal kingdom — and it might just save you from a very unpleasant encounter.

While both venom and poison are toxic adaptations found across many species (including snakes, frogs, insects, and even some mammals!), the key difference lies in how the toxin is delivered.

🧪 Venom is injected into you — through fangs, stingers, claws, or spines — like with snakes, lionfish, and spiders.

☠️ Poison, on the other hand, harms you when you touch or ingest it — as seen in creatures like the golden poison dart frog or monarch butterflies. These natural defenses help animals capture prey, defend themselves from predators, and survive in some of Earth’s harshest environments. It’s just one more example of how evolution crafts incredible survival tools.

👀 Have you ever wondered if a creature you saw was venomous or poisonous?