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Poison is an everyday part of the animal world, and an essential tool for hunting and defence. From species such as the King Cobra, Lionfish, Fat-tail Scorpion and Poison Dart-frog to the diminutive but lethal Black Widow Spider, the author takes a look at the different types of natural venoms.

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TV presenter Steve Backshall needs no introduction following his performances on TV series such as Deadly 60 and Lost Land of . A wide variety of insects, reptiles and amphibians use toxins to subdue their prey or to stop becoming prey to another predator. Even some mammals and birds resort to poison as a means of securing a meal or deterring attack!
From species such as the King Cobra, Lionfish, Fat-tail Scorpion and Poison Dart-frog to the diminutive but lethal Black Widow Spider, the author takes a fascinating look at the different types of natural venoms. On a tour of the world´s continents, he looks at over 60 of the most venomous creatures, describing their main characteristics and explaining how they administer their venom and what its effects are. Stunning colour photographs and exciting accounts of Steve´s own encounters with some of these animals bring the world of natural venom alive.

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Steve Backshall is a British naturalist, writer and television presenter. He has presented on Earth Pulse on the National Geographic channel, as well as the popular BBC children´s´ series The Really Wild Show and the primetime BBC series The One Show and the Expedition series, where he visited remote places such as Guyana, Alaska, St Kilda and Borneo. His latest series, Steve Backshall´s Deadly 60, starts in Spring 2009. Steve has written Venom for New Holland and is also an author for the Rough Guide series.

A presenter on BBC TV´s Deadly 60, Lost Land of. series and Really Wild Show, experienced naturalist Steve Backshall has studied venomous animals for many years and has travelled extensively across the world to see them in action in their natural habitat. His books include the bestselling Deadly 60 and Wildlife Adventurer´s Guide.

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