All of these animals—from the mostly innocent black widow spider to the deadly taipan snake—have one thing in common: they use venom, or poison, for defense. Read about how these poisonous animals survive in their natural habitats and what part they play in the food chains and ecosystems in which they live. The question and answer feature throughout the book promotes reader inquiry, while the list of resources encourages further research and learning. This photo-illustrated book for elementary readers describes the Australian taipan snake, one of the most venomous snakes in the world. Readers learn how these snakes use their venom to kill prey and as a defense against predators when threatened.