mccarthykm wrote:
ja1484 wrote:
mccarthykm wrote:
And I've got to give credit to the original post for using "venomous" and not "poisonous."
Snakes are not POISONOUS... you don't eat them so you don't get sick! Mushrooms on the other hand...
Merriam-Webster lists them as synonyms:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poisonous I think it's safe to say you could use either descriptor. In fact, Merriam-Webster also lists the second definition of "venomous" as:
Having a venom-producing gland and able to inflict a poisoned wound. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venomous While I haven't written any dictionaries lately I will point out that certain rattlesnakes, including eastern and western diamond backs as well as timber rattlesnakes all produce "venom" that includes a hemotoxin and neurotoxin. The first causes damage to your blood and tissue while the other attacks your nervous system. The point of venom is to kill and begin the digestion process for the snakes.
On the other hand, poisons typically is a severe allergic reactions that can potentially cause sickness and even death through "ingestion."
So I'll more clearly restate... poison invokes reactions and venom causes damage.
But unfortunately you'll see these incorrectly interchanged in several state and federal brochures... Except in Missouri where I am an environmental educator.