Fun Inspirations

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:31 am

So, earlier, I actually had a moment to watch TV (I rarely do so, for what that's worth) and was flipping about, when I came to a program on venom. I think it was on Discovery or something...

Anyway, like a good critter creator, I just had to watch.

I didn't learn a whole lot more than I already knew, but I did take some notes, anyway, just in case I forget:

Hemotoxins: cause arteries to thin and burst resulting in internal bleeding and heart failure -- generally takes a few hours for effect -- source: Gila Monster

Stonustoxins: results in intense pain and agony which effectively causes paralysis (hurts too much to want to move) but generally not lethal (can be in certain conditions such as while swimming). Effects tend to fade after, roughly, 90 minutes. -- source: Stonefish

Necrotoxins: dissolve and kill skin cells resulting in "rot" effect which does not naturally heal (prevents oxygen from reaching -- looks like burn or bite) and spreads over time, sometimes years -- source: White-Tail Spider

Neurotoxins: shuts entire body down, muscles, organs, and brain; the faster the body pumps blood (ie, more movement) the quicker the onset of death which is nearly always the result -- source: Black Mamba

Myotoxins: decays and destroys muscle fibers and blood cells targeting them, preventing motion and inducing weakness. Effects are permanent. -- source: Olive Sea Snake

Atraxotoxins: overstimulates body's natural reactions producing high blood pressure and causing rapidity in actions; faster one moves, more thoroughly the venom permeates, leading to quicker result (heart failure.) -- source: Funnel Web Spider

Cardiotoxins: specifically affects heart and heart muscles resulting in swelling and then bursting; death occurs in minutes -- source: Box Jellyfish

Batrachotoxins: most lethal venom on planet, causing death on contact -- source: Poison Dart Frog

Anyway, just thought I'd share... muahaha

Go0gleplex · Post by **Go0gleplex** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:42 pm

Useful.
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:35 am

When I lived in Florida, there was an accident at the Port of Ft. Lauderdale and some exotic frogs escaped. They would shoot poison (into the eyes?) and could kill dogs. Not sure if it was the poison dart frog, but we were all creeped out for a while.
They were huge, ugly and fat as I recall.

Of course, Florida is a state that has large flying cockroaches, i.e. Palmetto bugs that are monsters of the air currents, among other bizarre and scary creatures.

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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:14 am

Poison dart frogs are small. Maybe half the length of your index finger, and slightly larger in width. If you licked one, you would die.

Morgrus · Post by **Morgrus** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:42 am

Rhuvein wrote:
When I lived in Florida, there was an accident at the Port of Ft. Lauderdale and some exotic frogs escaped. They would shoot poison (into the eyes?) and could kill dogs. Not sure if it was the poison dart frog, but we were all creeped out for a while.
They were huge, ugly and fat as I recall.

Of course, Florida is a state that has large flying cockroaches, i.e. Palmetto bugs that are monsters of the air currents, among other bizarre and scary creatures.

Cane toad by the sound of it. When I lived in florida I would get scorpions in my light fixtures & don't get me started on the brown recluse spiders.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:47 am

Cane toad:

Poison dart frog (blue variety):

I might have to get all Melan here in a moment and go on a frog/toad-based writing rampage.

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:30 pm

Thanks guys.

Yes, I think it must have been a variety of the Cane Toad. Apparently, toads and frogs don't spit poison, but some articles have indicated that the Cane Toad can squirt the poison from the glands near the eyes.

But typically, a dog might mouth a Cane Toad and get poisoned that way.

Here's an interesting article about the differences between poison and venom with a mention of the Komodo Dragon and it's deadly mouth bacteria:
http://www.petplace.com/reptiles/venoms ... page1.aspx

_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:33 pm

Thank you very much for that article, Rhuvein. I'll have to make sure future references are detailed appropriately (that is, a venom is a venom, not a poison.)

I'll still allow assassins to use either, though. Heh.

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:38 pm

serleran wrote:
Thank you very much for that article, Rhuvein. I'll have to make sure future references are detailed appropriately (that is, a venom is a venom, not a poison.) I'll still allow assassins to use either, though. Heh.

You're welcome and thank you guys. I've just been spending the last hour reading about the most horrible creatures on this planet - heh, spitting cobras, poison frogs, fish and spiders, etc.

And now I'm very hungry, so I gotta go!!
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth