The scorpionfish in ambush
A scorpionfish blends into the rocks until prey comes within reach. Then it opens its mouth in a flash. The spines come into play if something tries to eat the scorpionfish itself. A prick can carry venom into the attacker’s tissues.
Stinging or being swallowed
The difference between venomous and poisonous lies in how the substance gets into the other animal. A scorpionfish spine can introduce venom through a wound. Some pufferfish can poison a predator simply by being eaten.
How nudibranchs defend themselves
A nudibranch is a sea slug with no visible shell. Some keep defensive chemicals from the animals they eat, such as sponges. Others make their own. In some encounters, bright colours can warn a predator away.
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