Book excerpt: Venomous creatures such as snakes and spiders are the stuff of human nightmares. Yet toxins are a regular part of the animal world, an essential tool for hunting and defense. A surprising variety of insects, reptiles, and amphibians use venom in their daily lives, either to subdue their prey or to prevent falling victim to another predator. Precisely how many forms of wildlife are venomous is only now becoming clear. From the mighty King Cobra, which can reach over five meters in length, down to the diminutive but lethal Black Widow Spider, natural history expert Steve Backshall takes a fascinating look at more than 60 of the most venomous creatures across the world’s continents. Exciting accounts of Backshall’s personal encounters with some of nature's most dangerous animals help bring to life the world of natural venoms. He explains how different types of toxins work and highlights how some are used in medicine, including in the treatment of chronic disease in humans. A final chapter looks at the future for venomous wildlife and at why conservation measures are urgently required to ensure its continued survival. The first book of its kind on this fascinating subject, Venomous Animals of the World is illustrated throughout with stunning color photographs.