# Venom

VENOM or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered to other animals through a wound by means of a bite, sting or similar penetrative action, usually via a specially evolved VENOM apparatus, such as fangs or a stinger, in a process called enVENOMation. VENOMs are often distinguished from poisons, which is passively delivered by being ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin; and toxungen, which is actively transferred to the external surface of another animal via a physical delivery mechanism. VENOM has evolved in terrestrial and aquatic environments and in a wide variety of animals: both predators and prey, and both vertebrates and invertebrates.