Venom has evolved independently countless times; such diverse organisms didn’t branch out from one venomous ancestor, so each species has evolved on its own. As a result, depending on the species, each venom contains a different chemical cocktail perfectly designed to attack the animal’s typical prey. The result is a huge number of chemicals not found anywhere else in nature, which can affect the blood, muscles or central nervous system. Scientists have discovered a huge range of applications for these chemicals, from medicine to explosives and beyond. See just a few of their important uses in this gallery.
