There are more than 34,000 species of spiders, and all are technically venomous. However, only 20-30 pose a danger to humans. Tarantulas are named for the city of Taranto, Italy, where legend has it that a dance was once performed there to cure the effects of the spider's bite. In the United States each year, bees and wasps account for approximately 500 human deaths. Approximately 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year resulting in approximately 15 deaths.
Many animals advertise their venom with color, behavior, or sound.
Since ancient times, venoms have been used in weapons of warefare and for hunting. Early warriors in Europe as well as some North American Indians coated arrowheads and spears with snake venom. There are 200 species of jellyfish ranging in size from a few inches to more than six feet in diameter. The largest jellyfish have tentacles as long as 120 feet. Jellyfish tentacles sting even after the jelly is dead.