Various poisons. The most powerful poisons in the world

Trying to figure out which poison is the strongest in nature is doomed to failure - too many variables affect the results. However, if we take only one parameter - the average lethal dose, only one type of living beings - laboratory mice, only one route of administration - intramuscular, and evaluate not whole poisons, but their individual components, then some idea of the “ideal killers” can be obtained .

The average lethal dose, DL50 (lat. dosis letalis), causes the death of half of the experimental animals (DL100 is the dose minimally sufficient for all who received it). DL is measured in milligrams of a substance per 1 kg of animal body weight (mg/kg); in our rating it is indicated in parentheses after the name of the substance. So, the top 10 most toxic poisons with DL50 are for mice when administered intramuscularly.

Neurotoxin II (0.085 mg/kg)

Source: component of the poison of the Central Asian (Naja oxiana).

The venom of this snake is extremely strong. When bitten, it has a neurotoxic effect. After the bite, the victim is lethargic, but soon begins to experience convulsions, breathing becomes more frequent and shallow. Death occurs after some time due to paralysis of the respiratory tract. Local manifestations (hematomas, tumors) do not occur with a Central Asian bite.

Despite the danger, this snake bites quite rarely, preferring to take a defensive pose when danger approaches, and hisses loudly, raising the front part of the body and spreading the front eight pairs of cervical ribs to the sides in such a way that the flattened neck expands in the form of a “hood”. Usually, this is enough to convince the enemy to retreat. Although, even if the enemy does not heed the warnings, this is not always followed by a bite. First, the cobra delivers a false bite - throwing the front part of the body sharply forward and hitting the enemy with its head. The mouth is closed during this blow. In this way, the snake protects its own from possible injury.

The Central Asian cobra, whose length reaches 1.5-1.6 m, is common in northwestern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and northeastern Iran. IN Central Asia this snake is found in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Northern border area - the Nura-Tau ridge and the Bel-Tau-Ata mountains, the western - the spurs of the Turkestan ridge.

Antidote: it is recommended to administer Anticobra serum or polyvalent antisnake serum, use of anticholinesterase drugs in combination with atropine, corticosteroids, and antihypoxants. In case of deep breathing disorders, artificial ventilation of the lungs is necessary.

Alpha-latrotoxin (0.045 mg/kg)

Source: Contained in the venom of 31 species of spiders of the genus Latrodectus (karakurts).

A neurotoxin that causes the release of acetylcholine, norepinephrine and other mediators from presynaptic terminals, followed by depletion of their reserves.

At the moment of a bite, an immediate burning pain is most often felt (in some sources, the bite is painless), which spreads throughout the body within 15-30 minutes. Typically, patients complain of unbearable pain in the abdomen, lower back, and chest. Characterized by sharp abdominal muscles. Shortness of breath, palpitations, increased heart rate, dizziness, headache, tremor, vomiting, pallor or flushing of the face, sweating, a feeling of heaviness in the chest and epigastric areas, exophthalmos and dilated pupils. The face takes on a bluish tint. Priapism, bronchospasm, urinary and defecatory retention are also characteristic. Psychomotor agitation in the later stages of poisoning is replaced by deep depression, blackouts, and delirium. Known deaths in humans and farm animals. After 3-5 days, the skin becomes covered with a rash, and the victim’s condition improves somewhat. Recovery begins in 2-3 weeks, but for a long time he feels general weakness.

Karakurts (“black widows”) live in tropical, subtropical and even temperate latitudes on all continents except Antarctica. Only females are dangerous (their body size is up to 2 cm). Males are much smaller (0.5 cm) and are not able to bite through human skin. The toxicity of the poison has a pronounced seasonal dependence: the September one is about ten times more powerful than the May one.

Antidote: antikarakurt serum.

Alpha-conotoxin (0.012 mg/kg)

Source: component of the complex venom of the mollusk Conus geographus (geographic cone).

A neurotoxin that blocks H-cholinergic receptors in muscles and peripheral nerves.

Cones are very active when touched in their habitat. Their toxic apparatus consists of a poisonous gland connected by a duct to a hard proboscis by a radula-grater located at the wide end of the shell, with sharp spines that replace the mollusk’s teeth. If you take the shell in your hands, the mollusk instantly extends the radula and thrusts spines into the body. The injection is accompanied by acute pain leading to loss of consciousness, numbness of the fingers, strong heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sometimes paralysis. In the Pacific Islands, cases of shell collectors dying from cone stings have been recorded.

The cone shells are 15-20 cm long. Habitat: the eastern and northern coasts of Australia, the eastern coast Southeast Asia and China and the Central Pacific region.

Antidote: There is no antidote. The only measure is copious bloodletting from the injection site.

Chiriquitotoxin (0.01 mg/kg)

Source: Produced by the skin of the toad Atelopus chiriquiensis.

A structural analogue of tetrodotoxin - it differs only in the replacement of the CH2OH group with an as yet unidentified radical. Neurotoxin, blocks sodium and potassium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.

Causes impaired coordination of movements, convulsions, incomplete paralysis of the limbs.

Small (males - about 3 cm, females - 3.5-5 cm) toads with beautiful name Chiriquitas are found on the isthmus between North and South America - in Panama and Costa Rica. The species is endangered. The toxin is produced by the skin of the chirikit, and the toxicity, we recall, was assessed when administered intramuscularly.

Antidote

Tityutoxin (0.009 mg/kg)

Source: one of the venom components of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis).

Neurotoxin slows down the inactivation of fast sodium channels of electrically excitable membranes, which leads to the development of persistent depolarization.

The venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion is produced in two enlarged glands located immediately behind the sting, which looks like a barb at the end of the tail. They are what give Scorpios the “fat” appearance. It also differs from other scorpions in the color of its sting - from dark brown to black. The venom of the fat-tailed scorpion is so toxic that it can even kill an adult human. It feeds mainly on small insects such as locusts or beetles, but can easily kill small lizards or mice. As soon as the victim stops resisting, the scorpion dismembers the body into small parts using sharp claws.

This type of scorpion is associated with up to 80% of all serious poisonings and up to 95% of deaths from scorpion injections.

Androctonus australis are medium-sized scorpions up to 10 cm long. They are not related to Australia: australis in Latin means “southern”, and androctonus in Greek means “murderer”. Found in the Middle East, north and southeast Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Iraq, Iran, etc.).

Antidote: antitoxic serum “Antiscorpion”. Antikarakurt serum can be used as a slightly less effective replacement.

Tetrodotoxin (0.008 mg/kg)

Source: produced and accumulated in the tissues of fish of the Tetraodontidae family, the mollusk BabyIonia japonica and the chirikit’s close relative, the toad Atelopus varius.

Neurotoxin, selectively blocks sodium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.

This is a dangerous poison that, once in digestive tract, causes severe pain, convulsions and usually leads to death.

Some species of the Tetraodontidae family (four-toothed, also known as rockfish, dogfish and pufferfish) reach a length of up to half a meter. Both these fish and the dish made from them are called “fugu” in Japan. The poison is contained in the liver, milk, caviar, intestines and skin, so only specially trained chefs are allowed to prepare fugu, who remove the poisonous organs using a separate method for each type. If pufferfish meat is prepared by ignorant amateurs, then in 60 cases out of 100, trying such a dish leads to death. And such cases are still not uncommon. According to a Japanese proverb, “he who eats fugu is a fool, but he who does not eat is also a fool.”
The habitat of puffer fish is from the northern coast of Australia to the northern coast of Japan and from the southern coast of China to the eastern islands of Oceania.

The mollusk Babylonia japonica has a very beautiful sink classic spiral shape 40-85 mm long. Habitat: the coast of the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan and Japan.

Toads Atelopus varius (Atelop variegated) are small, 2.5-4 cm, and if you are “lucky” you can stumble upon them only in the jungles of Panama and Costa Rica.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote; detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out.

Typoxin (typotoxin) (0.002 mg/kg)

Source: component of the venom of the most poisonous snake on earth - the Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). Before the development of the antidote (1955), up to 90% of those bitten died.

A presynaptic toxin has phospholipase activity and causes a characteristic release of nerve impulse mediators (weakening of secretion, strengthening and, finally, its complete inhibition). Has neurotoxic and myotoxic effects.

Taipan is very aggressive. When in danger, it curls and vibrates the end of its tail. Snakes are most aggressive during the mating period and skin change, but this does not mean that at other times they are peaceful and docile.

Taipans reach a length of 2 to 3.6 m. They have a very aggressive character, but, fortunately, they are found only in sparsely populated areas on the northeast coast of Australia and southern New Guinea.

Antidote: antitoxic taipan serum.

Batrachotoxin (0.002 mg/kg)

Source: skin secretion of leaf-climbing frogs of the genus Phyllobates.

It has a strong cardiotoxic effect, causing extrasystoles and fibrillation of the ventricles of the heart, paralyzing the respiratory muscles, myocardium and skeletal muscles. Persistently and irreversibly increases the permeability of the resting membrane for sodium ions and blocks axonal transport.

The poisonousness of these frogs is such that you can’t even touch them. The skin secretions of leafhoppers contain alkaloids-batrachotoxins, which, when ingested, cause arrhythmia, fibrillation and cardiac arrest.

Tree frogs do not exceed 5 cm in length and are usually brightly colored in gold, black-orange and black-yellow (warning coloration). If you get carried away to South America from Nicaragua to Colombia, don’t grab them with your hands.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote; detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out. A strong antagonist is tetrodotoxin - wedge by wedge...

Palytoxin (0.00015 mg/kg)

Source: contained in the rays of the six-rayed coral polyps Palythoa toxica, P. tuberculosa, P. сaribacorum.

Cytotoxic poison. Damages the sodium-potassium pump of cells, disrupting the gradient of ion concentrations between the cell and the intercellular environment. Causes pain in the chest, as with angina, tachycardia, difficulty breathing, hemolysis. Death occurs within the first few minutes after the injection into the polyp.

The body of these polyps - inhabitants of the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific oceans - consists not of eight, like ordinary corals, but of six or more than eight, the number of rays located on several corollas, usually a multiple of six.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote; symptomatic therapy is carried out. Animal studies suggest that simple vasodilators such as papaverine or isosorbide dinitrate may be effective.

Diamphotoxin (0.000025 Kmg/kg)

Source: the most powerful poison of animal origin on our planet, contained in the hemolymph (“blood”) of the larvae of the South African leaf beetle of the genus Diamphidia (D.Кlocusta, D.Кnigro-ornata, D.Кfemoralis), belonging to the same family with all known pests - Colorado potato beetle. Designed solely for protection from predators.

A single-chain polypeptide that opens all sodium-potassium channels in the cell membrane “for entry”, as a result of which the cell dies due to an imbalance in the intracellular electrolyte balance. It has a neurotoxic and especially pronounced hemolytic effect; in a short period of time it reduces the hemoglobin content in the blood by 75% due to the massive destruction of red blood cells. Bushmen still use crushed larvae of diamphidia: an arrow smeared with this liquid can knock down an adult 500-kilogram giraffe.

Adult beetles reach 10-12 mm in length. Females lay eggs on the branches of Commiphora plants. The larvae burrow into the ground, pupate and develop into a pupa over several years. Therefore, finding Diamphidia cocoons is not a problem for hunters.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote. Carry out detoxification and symptomatic therapy.

We present to your attention a list of the most known poisons which have been used to kill people throughout history.

Hemlock is a genus of highly toxic flowering plants, common in Europe and South Africa. The ancient Greeks used it to kill their captives. For an adult, 100 mg is enough. infusion or about 8 hemlock leaves to cause death - your mind is awake, but your body does not respond and eventually the respiratory system stops. The most famous case of poisoning is considered to be one sentenced to death for atheism in 399 BC. e., the Greek philosopher Socrates, who received a very concentrated infusion of hemlock.

Fighter or Wolfsbane

Ninth place in the list of the most famous poisons is taken by Borets - a genus of perennial poisonous plants, growing in damp places along the banks of rivers in Europe, Asia and North America. The poison of this plant causes asphyxia, which leads to suffocation. Poisoning can occur even after touching the leaves without gloves, since the poison is absorbed very quickly and easily. According to legend, Emperor Claudius was poisoned by the poison of this plant. It was also used to lubricate bolts for the Chu Ko Nu crossbow, one of the unusual ancient types of weapons.

Belladonna or Belladonna

The name belladonna comes from the Italian word and translates as “ beautiful woman" In the old days, this plant was used for cosmetic purposes - Italian women dropped belladonna juice into their eyes, the pupils dilated, and the eyes acquired a special shine. The berries were also rubbed on the cheeks to give them a “natural” blush. It is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. All its parts are toxic and contain atropine, which can cause severe poisoning.

Dimethylmercury is a colorless liquid and one of the most powerful neurotoxins. Hit 0.1 ml. this liquid on the skin is already fatal for humans. Interestingly, symptoms of poisoning begin to appear after several months, which is too late for effective treatment. In 1996, inorganic chemist Karen Wetterhahn was conducting experiments at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and spilled one drop of this liquid on her gloved hand - dimethylmercury was absorbed into the skin through the latex gloves. Symptoms appeared four months later, and Karen died ten months later.

Tetrodotoxin

Tetrodotoxin is found in two sea creatures- blue-ringed octopus and fugu fish. The octopus is the most dangerous because it deliberately injects its venom, killing its prey within minutes. It has enough poison to kill 26 adults within minutes. The bites are often painless, so many people only realize they have been bitten when paralysis occurs. But fugu fish is only lethal when eaten. But if the fish is cooked correctly, it is harmless.

Polonium is a radioactive poison and a slow killer. One gram of polonium vapor can kill about 1.5 million people in just a couple of months. The most famous case of poisoning allegedly with polonium-210 was that of Alexander Litvinenko. Polonium was found in his cup of tea - a dose 200 times the average lethal dose. He died three weeks later.

Mercury is a relatively rare element that, when room temperature is a heavy silvery-white liquid. Only vapors and soluble mercury compounds are poisonous, causing severe poisoning. Metallic mercury does not have a noticeable effect on the body. Famous case death from mercury (allegedly) is the Austrian composer Amadeus Mozart.

Cyanide is a deadly poison that results in internal asphyxia. Lethal dose cyanide for humans is 1.5 mg. per kilogram of body weight. Cyanide was usually sewn into the collars of the shirts of scouts and spies. In addition, the poison was used in gaseous form in Nazi Germany for mass murder in gas chambers during the Holocaust. It is a proven fact that Rasputin was poisoned with several lethal doses of cyanide, but he never died, but was drowned.

Botulinum toxin is the most powerful poison from known to science organic toxins and substances in general. The poison causes severe toxic damage - botulism. Death occurs from hypoxia caused by impaired oxygen metabolism, asphyxia of the respiratory tract, paralysis of the respiratory muscles and cardiac muscle.

Arsenic was recognized as the “king of poisons.” Arsenic poisoning causes symptoms similar to those of cholera (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea). Arsenic, like Belladonna (item 8), was used in ancient times by women to make their faces pale white. There is an assumption that Napoleon was poisoned on the island of St. Helena with arsenic compounds.

Chemical agents are used in medicine, the agricultural industry, the military and, unfortunately, in terrorist operations. The most powerful poison on the planet is determined according to various criteria: origin, duration of action, degree of spread, area affected, type of substance (solid, liquid, gas). Many factors influence the strength of action; it is impossible to give it an unambiguous assessment. The rating collected popular and little-known toxins.

Cyanide

What does potassium cyanide look like (photo)

Cyanides are a large group of substances of organic and inorganic nature. Not the most dangerous, but the most common poisons. These include hydrocyanic acid and its salts. Enter the body through skin, respiratory tract or with food.

Hydrogen cyanide (hydrogen cyanide, formula HCN) used in the 20th century by the French and fascists during wars. In America they were used in prison gas chambers. A poisonous, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic odor is found in plants and coke oven gas. Released when smoking, thermal exposure to polyurethanes and nylon. Death occurs within 5 – 15 minutes from 0.5 mg/kg orally and at air concentrations above 0.011%. Banned by the Geneva Convention since 1949.

What does hydrocyanic acid look like (photo)

Gained particular popularity potassium cyanide ( potassium salt hydrocyanic acid, formula KCN). The substance is similar in appearance to powdered sugar. Lethal outcome occurs after use of 140–170 mg/kg. What's interesting:

The poison caused the death of Rasputin and Hitler;
in 1982 A poisoner was operating in the USA. The maniac added cyanide to medications that killed at least 7 people;
Sulfur and sugar help with poisoning. There are antidotes in medicine.

Sarin

A colorless liquid with a faint odor of blossoming apple trees, developed for agricultural needs in 1938. But it quickly found application in Nazi military operations. Amazes nervous system through all routes of influence. Lethal contact through the skin is 0.12 mg/l or a concentration of 0.075 mg/l in air. The man dies in agony and convulsions.

Since 1993 the substance is on the prohibited list. On June 12, 2017, the Russian media reported about the complete destruction of liquid reserves in the country. It continues to be used by terrorists and the military. On August 21, 2013, at least 280 people were killed by sarin gas in Syria.

Treatment begins at the first symptoms. The person is isolated from the damaging agent. The body is treated with a weak alkali solution, the stomach is washed. The victim will undergo long-term treatment with antidotes.

Alpha Latrotoxin

The poison is produced by spiders of the karakurt family. Females pose the greatest danger. The strength of the toxic substance depends on the season: in the spring its penetration into the body causes more severe consequences than in the fall. There are 31 species of insects in nature. The notorious female steppe karakurt is the black widow. Insects live in tropical, subtropical, and temperate latitudes. There are populations in Crimea.

Lethal outcomes are rarely recorded, because A serum has been developed that neutralizes the poison. Deaths occur among those bitten in children and the elderly. Lethal dose – 0.045 mg/kg.

The poison is absorbed into the blood within 15-60 minutes and affects the neuromuscular tissue. Accompanied by pain in the abdomen, chest, and lower back; shortness of breath, hypertension, dizziness, dilated pupils. Death occurs from heart failure and respiratory dysfunction.

Toadstool toxins

30 grams of toadstool eaten kills a person

The most poisonous mushroom in the world contains aminotoxins and phalloidins. Poisons destroy the liver and kidneys. The danger of poisoning lies in the prolonged absence of symptoms.

The manifestation of the toxin is noticeable after 6-24 hours. Symptoms: severe abdominal pain, fainting, dizziness, diarrhea. On the third day, a false improvement in well-being occurs, while the destruction of the body continues. Death occurs within 10 days from cardiovascular failure.

The antidote is an injectable form of silibinin. Due to the late diagnosis, there is a high probability of death from 30 grams of eaten mushroom.

Ricin

The most dangerous poison, ricin, is extracted from castrum beans.

The white powder is obtained from castor beans. Odorless, soluble in water. It has a destructive effect on protein synthesis processes. The effect of the toxin on the body has been studied since the First World War. Damage to the body is possible both through inhalation and when it enters the blood directly.

In 1978 Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov died from an umbrella injection. The tip contained a capsule containing ricin. In 2001 and 2003 the use of the substance by terrorists became known. In 2009 intelligence agencies prevented the sending of letters containing ricin to the US president and politicians.

Symptoms appear within 24 hours if inhaled and 10 hours if ingested through food. The lethal dose is 0.03 mg/kg. Ricin affects the respiratory tract and heart. Death occurs within 6–8 days. Treatment involves intoxication and symptomatic therapy.

Tetrodotoxin

Fugu fish produces tetradotoxin

The poison is known throughout the world thanks to the Japanese delicacy - fugu fish dish. The toxin is contained in 50% of the fish carcass: skin, liver, milk, caviar. Cooking is trusted only to experienced chefs who can cook fish without damaging the poisonous organs.

Summer 2010 flocks of fugu visited the Primorsky region. Two Khabarovsk residents caught fish and fried it over a fire. Both died from anaphylactic shock. In addition to pufferfish, the toad Atelopus Varius and the mollusk Babilonia Japonica accumulate the toxin.

The poison has a neuroparalytic effect. Within half an hour, severe abdominal pain, itching of the tongue and lips, vomiting and nausea appear. If detoxification is not done in a timely manner, breathing becomes difficult and aphonia develops. A person is doomed to die within 6 hours from paralysis of the respiratory muscles after consuming 0.008 mg/kg of the substance.

Palytoxin

Palytoxin is produced by coral - zoantaria

Contained in zoantharia - six-rayed corals. Of the non-protein toxic compounds, this is the most dangerous substance. Death occurs after 0.00015 mg/kg enters the body within 2 to 3 minutes after the injection into the polyp.

The toxin disrupts cell function. Symptoms: chest pain, rapid heartbeat, hemolysis, difficulty breathing. You can run into animals in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. There is no antidote. Vasodilators help

Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum

The toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum and causes botulism. It underlies the production of a number of pharmaceuticals and Botox injections. The most powerful protein poison and one of the most powerful in the world. Lethal dose orally - 0.001 mg/kg; during inhalation – 0.0002 mg/l.

The danger lies in the everyday risk of contracting botulism. Microorganisms multiply in canned food, sausages, fish with damaged skin, and large prepared pieces of meat. They affect nerve endings in the skeleton and heart, and disrupt oxygen exchange. Death occurs as a result of paralysis of the respiratory organs and heart; asphyxia, hypoxia.

The patient's stomach is washed and detoxification drugs are administered. Boiling partially helps prevent the disease. The bacteria can withstand a five-hour heat treatment. They die at a temperature of 120 0 C. But the toxin begins to break down at 70 - 80 degrees Celsius.

VX (Vee-ex)

VX - the most powerful synthetic poison

The substance was obtained in 1955. It was planned to be used as a pesticide, but the toxicity exceeded permissible limits agriculture norms. Oral exposure to 70 mg/kg can result in death. This is the most dangerous synthetic poison.

V-ex has a neuroparalytic effect. During the first 5 minutes, constriction of the pupils, salivation, and sweating are observed. Over the next 5 to 10 minutes, the person dies in convulsions and seizures.

There is a ban on the use of gas. Officially, only the United States and Russia recognize the presence of reserves. Practice shows that other countries also produce the substance. Kim Jong-un's brother was killed with the help of a chemical in February of this year.

The victim is taken out of the affected area, clothes are decontaminated. The eyes are washed with a 2% solution baking soda. Symptomatic therapy is used.

Diamphotoxin

The larva of the Diamphidia beetle produces the most powerful poison on the planet - Diamphotoxin.

Produced by the larvae and pupae of South African beetles of the genus Diamphidia. This is the most powerful poison of animal origin. To kill a person, 0.000025 mg/kg is enough. Used by indigenous peoples to lubricate arrows during hunting. Disturbs the electrolyte composition of cells, causing short time reduces the level of hemoglobin in the blood by 75%.

No human deaths were recorded. The toxin is released as a defense against predators.

But you can die not only from poisons, but also from regular products by eating too many of them. Finally, I suggest you get to know how you can die by overeating regular foods!

Poisonous substances surround us everywhere. Their number is in the thousands. The degree of danger to a person is individual. No one is safe from poisoning. But every person has the power to minimize the risk. What do you think about these poisons?

Foods and drinks that are very familiar to us can turn out to be deadly. And the simplest objects contain poison. It turns out that the most strong poisons sometimes they are close to us, and we don’t even suspect it.

Dangerous poisons

- Methanol, or methyl alcohol is very dangerous poison. This is explained by the fact that it is easy to confuse it with ordinary wine alcohol, since they are indistinguishable in taste and smell. Fake alcoholic drinks sometimes made on the basis methyl alcohol, but without an examination it is impossible to determine the presence of methanol. Unfortunately, the consequences of consuming such drinks are irreversible; at best, a person becomes blind.

Mercury. Everyone at home has the most common item - mercury thermometer. It turns out that if you spill mercury from two or three thermometers in a medium-sized room, this will be enough to cause serious poisoning. True, elemental mercury itself is not dangerous, its vapors are dangerous, and it begins to evaporate already at room temperature. In addition to thermometers, the same type of mercury is found in fluorescent lamps. So be careful with them.

Snake venom. There are more than two and a half thousand species of reptiles, but only about 250 species are poisonous. The most famous - common vipers, cobras, rattlesnakes, black mambas, small snakes - sand ephs.

People have long found out that snake venom is dangerous only when it enters the human bloodstream. And, since humanity has been dealing with snakes for many millennia, it is not surprising that it was while studying the effects of snake venom on the bodies of animals and people that the first antidote was created in 1895 - anti-snake serum. By the way, there is no universal antidote even in case of poisoning snake venom, for each type of snake, its own antitoxin is created - for the king cobra - one, for vipers - another, for rattlesnakes - a third.

The fastest poison

There are many poisons, but potassium cyanide is still considered one of the fastest-acting. It has been used since ancient times and is probably the most famous "spy" poison: many agents in films and books use cyanide in ampoules or tablets. And everyone probably read about such a sign as the smell of “bitter almonds” in Agatha Christie’s wonderful detective stories.

You can be poisoned by cyanide not only by ingestion, but also by inhalation or touching. Potassium cyanide is found in some plants and foods, as well as cigarettes. It is used in the extraction of gold from ore. Cyanide kills by binding iron in blood cells, thereby preventing them from delivering oxygen to vital organs.

Cyanide can be determined using a solution of ferric salts

By the way, they tried to poison Grigory Rasputin with potassium cyanide, but they couldn’t, because they added the poison to a sweet pie. Glucose is an antidote to potassium cyanide.

The most accessible poisons

In summer and autumn, the time comes for seasonal mushroom poisoning - by the way, these are the most accessible poisonous substances today. The most famous poisonous mushrooms are false honey mushrooms, pale grebe, lines and fly agarics. The most poisoned one is the pale grebe, since it has many varieties, sometimes indistinguishable from edible mushrooms, and one such mushroom can lead to the death of several people.

Although the Germans have learned to prepare fly agarics in such a way that they are not poisoned by them, it is true that it takes them a lot of time to prepare these mushrooms - they boil them for days. True, the question arises - why do they need fly agaric mushrooms when you can simply take other mushrooms for food? And of course, we must remember the rules for storing cooked mushrooms; even edible mushrooms can become poisonous if the shelf life is violated.

Regular potatoes or bread can also be poisonous. When stored improperly, potatoes accumulate the substance solanine, which causes poisoning to the body. And bread becomes poisonous if flour was used to make it and contained cereals contaminated with ergot. We are not talking about poisoning with fatal, but it is quite possible to ruin your health with such products.

In addition, there are many household chemicals and fertilizers that can also cause poisoning. For example, potassium chloride is the most common fertilizer, but if it gets into the blood it becomes deadly, since potassium ions block the activity of the heart.

The most famous poison

In South America, the most famous poison is curare, a poison plant origin, there are several subtypes of this poison. It causes paralysis respiratory system. Initially it was used for hunting animals, but in the 20th century it was successfully used in medicine.

There is also strychnine powder white, which is sometimes used in some drugs (such as heroin and cocaine). Although it is much more often used in the manufacture of pesticides. To obtain this powder, the seeds of the chilibuhi tree, which is native to Southeast Asia and India, are taken.

But the most famous poison is, of course, arsenic; it can be called the “royal poison”. It has been used since ancient times (its use is also attributed to Caligula) to eliminate their enemies and competitors in the struggle for the throne, no matter the papal or royal one. It was the favorite poison of European nobility in the Middle Ages.

The most famous poisoners

The story of the Italian Borgia dynasty of poisoners, who elevated poisoning almost to the level of art, is unique. Everyone without exception was afraid of their invitation to the feast. The most famous representatives of this family for their treachery are Pope Alexander VI Borgia and his children: son Cesare, who became a cardinal, and daughter Lucrezia. This family had their own poison, "cantarella", supposedly containing arsenic, phosphorus and copper salts. It is known that the head of the family himself ultimately paid with his life for his treachery, having mistakenly drunk a cup of poison that he had prepared for another.

In France, arsenic was used by women, the most famous of them was Catherine de Medici, who became Queen of France. There were also poisoners of lower rank - favorites of kings, marquises, baronesses and wives of jewelers. It is believed that Napoleon was poisoned with arsenic.

The most powerful poison in the world

And now scientists will not answer the question of what poison is the most powerful in the world. Some of the most powerful poisons are botulism and tetanus toxins.

From natural poisons Batrachotoxin is very dangerous; it is secreted by the skin of small but dangerous amphibians - dart frogs, fortunately, they can only be found in Colombia. One such frog contains so much toxic substance that it is enough to destroy several elephants.

In addition, there are radioactive poisons, such as polonium. It acts slowly, but only 1 gram of this substance is needed to destroy one and a half million people. Snake venom, curare, potassium cyanide - they are all inferior to the above poisons.

It's not just snakes that are poisonous. As the editors of the site found out, the most poisonous creature on Earth is the jellyfish.
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Some animals have the amazing ability to kill using toxic substances. chemical compounds, or poison. This method is considered one of the most cowardly, insidious and effective. In this article, you will discover 11 poisonous animals in the world that can easily kill an adult.

There are "passively" venomous animals (which transmit their venom by being eaten or attacked by other animals) and "actively" venomous (which inject venom into their victims using stingers, fangs or other devices.

The most poisonous amphibian: The terrible leaf climber

Lives only in rainwater tropical forests western part of Colombia. The poison of one frog can kill from 10 to 20 people. (Only one type of snake Liophis epinephelus, resistant to poison terrible leaf climber, however, when exposed to enough large quantity toxin, the reptile may die).

Interestingly, the terrible leaf climber produces its poison from its diet of native ants and beetles; specimens kept in captivity and feeding on fruit flies and other common insects are completely harmless.

Most poisonous spider: Brazilian wandering spider

If you suffer from arachnophobia (fear of spiders), there is good and bad news for you about the Brazilian wandering spider. Good news is that these spiders live in the tropics of South America, and do not always inject a full dose of poison during a bite, and also rarely attack people; The even better news is that an effective antidote (if administered quickly) can prevent death. The bad news is that the spider's venom contains powerful neurotoxins that slowly paralyze and suffocate its victims, even in microscopic doses.

Men bitten by Brazilian wandering spiders often experience painful erections.

Most Poisonous Snake: McCoy's Taipan

The venom of this Australian snake is the most powerful among land snakes. Toxic substances contained in one individual can kill hundreds of adults. (Its venom consists of neurotoxins, hemotoxins, mycotoxins, and nephrotoxins. This means it can dissolve your blood, brain, muscles, and kidneys before you hit the ground.) Luckily, this poisonous snake rarely comes into contact with people, and even when she does (if you know how to interact with her), she becomes quite meek and easily tamed.

The most poisonous fish: Wart

This fish lives in shallow waters in the South Pacific Ocean. It looks ominously like a rock or piece of coral (the camouflage is meant to ward off predators) and if stepped on, the wart injects a powerful dose of toxins into the person's foot.

Australian authorities are actively replenishing supplies of antidotes, so there is a high probability of saving lives (provided that the antidote is administered in a timely manner).

Most Poisonous Insect: Maricopa Ant

Maricopa Ants ( Pogonomyrmex maricopa) enough dangerous insects. About 300 bites of these ants can cause death in an adult. Their venom is much stronger than that of hornets and honey bees. One bite of such an ant causes acute pain that lasts about 4 hours.

Fortunately, it is virtually impossible to accidentally step on a Maricopa ant colony and end up getting stung by hundreds; These insects are known to build nests with a diameter of about 9 m and a height of up to 2 m!

The most poisonous jellyfish: Sea wasp

Box jellyfish (jellyfish characterized by a rectangular bell shape) are by far the most dangerous invertebrate animals in the world, and the sea wasp ( Chironex fleckeri ) is considered the most poisonous looking jellyfish on the planet. Tentacles sea wasp covered with nematocytes - stinging cells, which, upon contact, cause burns.

Most people who come into contact with a sea wasp's tentacles experience excruciating pain, but a close encounter with this species can kill you in five minutes.

Most poisonous mammal: Platypus

Of course, platypus venom will not cause death to a person, but it will cause severe pain and swelling. Its poison is capable of killing small animals. On the hind limbs of males there are spurs (about 15 mm long) that contain poison. Most often, males use these spurs to fight each other during the breeding season.

Others poisonous mammals are: 3 species from the shrew family and the Cuban slittooth ( Solenodon cubanus).

The most poisonous mollusk: Marble cone

If you've never used the phrase "predatory sea snail," then you clearly don't know enough about the sea creatures that can kill you with a single bite. This mollusk is capable of paralyzing its prey (including other snails of the genus Conus) using a toxic poison that can easily kill an unwary person.

Unfortunately, no one has ever calculated how much poison can harm an adult.

Most poisonous bird: Bicolored blackbird flycatcher

The bicolored blackbird flycatcher from New Guinea contains a powerful poison called batrachotoxin. It is found in the skin and feathers of birds and can cause mild numbness and tingling in humans, but is much more dangerous for small animals. (Apparently blackbird flycatchers synthesize poison from beetles included in their diet (these beetles are also included in the diet of dart frogs).

Another well-known poisonous bird is the common quail, the meat of which (if the bird has consumed a plant of a certain species) can lead to a non-fatal disease for humans called coturnism.

Most poisonous octopus: Blue-ringed octopus

Blue-ringed octopuses live in Indian and Pacific Oceans and have rather modest sizes (the largest individuals rarely exceed 20 cm). Their bite is almost painless, but the venom causes paralysis and can kill an adult within just a few minutes.

At the moment, antidotes for the bite blue-ringed octopus No.

Most poisonous turtle: Hawksbill

Unlike some of the other animals on this list, the hawksbill turtle is not miniature: adults weigh about 80 kg, about the same as the average person. These turtles are distributed throughout the world, and individuals from Southeast Asia that eat toxic algae have poisonous meat that can cause poisoning in humans (symptoms of poisoning: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other intestinal ailments).