NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1028906
interesting notes for readers of all ages by Monica Macoubrie and Donna Schimonitz Venomous vs. Poisonous By Monica Macoubrie, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Venomous or Poisonous? Identify in each photo if it contains a venomous or poisonous item. junior journal junior journal junior journal Eastern Comma Butterfly by Getty Images NATURE CALENDAR Adult eastern comma butterfl ies appear: September or October Goldenrod is fl owering throughout the state: early July through October Swainson's hawks gather to begin migration: August through October Listen for raccoon communication at night: September – October I once was on a hike in western Nebraska when the trail leader said we should be wary of poisonous snakes. I did not know it then, but there was no need to worry about poisonous snakes – because I was not going to touch or eat one. Venomous creatures often are described as poisonous; poisonous creatures are sometimes called venomous. Both types have special toxins, and both can be considered dangerous. The true difference comes from how they deliver that toxin to their prey. VENOMOUS Venomous animals bite, sting or stab their prey to do damage. They need a way in to deliver their toxins. The bite of venomous snakes, such as prairie rattlesnakes, sometimes injects venom into the bloodstream of their prey through specially adapted teeth. Snakes are not the only venomous animals out there. In fact, there are venomous creatures in just about every group of animals: mammals, amphibians, fish, insects, arachnids (spiders), snails, jellyfish and even a few plants. There are a few venomous plants in the world. One in Nebraska is the stinging nettle. It uses hollow hairs on leaves and stems to inject its venom. These hairs act like needles, injecting chemicals into humans and animals that walk past and producing a stinging sensation. POISONOUS Poisonous is similar to venomous, but instead of an animal biting, stinging or stabbing to deliver its toxin, the entire body, or large parts of it, may contain a poisonous chemical. The monarch butterfly is a poisonous animal in Nebraska. It is beautiful, and many people do not think of a butterfly as dangerous. Some animals, such as birds, could definitely eat a monarch butterfly, but they know that they are poisonous, so they leave them alone. The bright colors of this butterfly are a warning: "I taste bad; don't eat me." Plants can be poisonous. Poison ivy, hemlock, nightshade and rhubarb are Nebraska examples. Some plants, such as rhubarb, can grow in your garden and you can cook and eat the stalks, but the leaves are very deadly if eaten. Answers, top to bottom: P, V, P, V, P. Only the rhubarb stems are edible, not the leaves. rhubarb leaves brown recluse spider brown recluse spider lawn mushrooms lawn mushrooms rattlesnake rattlesnake blister beetle blister beetle from NEBRASKAland‛s Trail Tales magazine for kids Photos by Justin Haag OCTOBER 2018 • NEBRASKAland 55