All of these animals from the mostly innocent black widow spider to the deadly taipan snake have one thing in common: they use venom, or poison, for defense. Read about how these poisonous animals survive in their natural habitats and what part they play in the food chains and ecosystems in which they live. The question and answer feature throughout the book promotes reader inquiry, while the list of resources encourages further research and learning. This photo-illustrated book for elementary readers describes the venomous blue-ringed octopus of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Readers learn how these octopi use their colorful rings or stripes to warn predators and how they use venom to kill their prey. Also explains where they live and what to do when they are encountered."