Identifies poisonous species of spiders, centipedes, ants, bees, scorpions, caterpillars and beetles found in the United States, with symptoms, recommended treatment, and mortality rates.

Life is a struggle on both land and in the sea and many animals have developed chemical weapons, for attack or defence. These toxins, venoms or poisons, are diverse in both structure and function and are delivered to victims in equally diverse ways. Humans frequently encounter these venomous and poisonous animals and all too often suffer unpleasant consequences including death, be it from a bite or sting causing envenoming, or poisoning after eating the wrong animal. The author, toxicologist at the Department of Forensic Science of the University of Frankfurt, Germany, provides expert information for biologists, toxicologists, pharmacists, physicians, but also for travelers.

Though many are harmless and even beneficial, invertebrates are some of the world’s most feared and dangerous creatures. Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates describes the health threats posed by invertebrate groups worldwide, from physical pain and annoyance to disease transmission risk. Featuring clear photographs, distribution maps and descriptions of biological, physical and behavioural characteristics of key groups, this book aids identification of potentially harmful invertebrates. It also summarises personal protection measures to reduce the risk of attack and disease, and provides guidance on treatment. This book will help to protect the health of travellers and serve as a reference for medical personnel working in high-risk areas, as well as those interested in entomology.

Identifies poisonous species of spiders, centipedes, ants, bees, scorpions, caterpillars and beetles found in the United States, with symptoms, recommended treatment, and mortality rates.

A decade after publication of the first edition, Handbook of Venoms and Toxins of Reptiles responds to extensive changes in the field of toxinology to endure as the most comprehensive review of reptile venoms on the market. The six sections of this new edition, which has nearly doubled in size, complement the original handbook by presenting current information from many of the leading researchers and physicians in toxinology, with topics ranging from functional morphology, evolution and ecology to crystallography, -omics technologies, drug discovery and more. With the recent recognition by the World Health Organization of snakebite as a neglected tropical disease, the section on snakebite has been expanded and includes several chapters dealing with the problem broadly and with new technologies and the promises these new approaches may hold to counter the deleterious effects of envenomation. This greatly expanded handbook offers a unique resource for biologists, biochemists, toxicologists, physicians, clinicians, and epidemiologists, as well as informed laypersons interested in the biology of venomous reptiles, the biochemistry and molecular biology of venoms, and the effects and treatment of human envenomation.