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Less aggressive than some common species of wasps, with the exception of the Africanized honey bee, bees are an essential part of our ecosystem. With their ability to pollinate flowers, fruit trees and other food-producing crops, not to mention the ones that make honey, bees are an important insect for farmers and our environment.

However, for people who are allergic to bee stings and those who are not, the threat of being stung can be scary. And, since different bees tend to be more threatening than others, it's important to properly identify what type of bee you're seeing before you take any action.

In case you were wondering: An animal is poisonous when its toxins are passively deployed. In contrast, a venomous animal directly injects you with a toxin. Determining just how venomous a critter is isn't an exact science, but there is a type of standard: the LD50, or how much venom is needed to kill 50 percent of a test population of lab mice. We've weighed a number of factors for this countdown, including that LD50;

The open ocean is one of the most terrifying and unforgiving habitats on the planet. It is a brutal home, one that has shaped many of its inhabitants into formidable creatures. With so many dangerous animals lurking beneath the waves, a sort of biological arms race is in effect between predators and prey. After millions of years of evolution, there are now dozens of species of poisonous fish, sea snakes, and other ocean life that could seriously ruin a scuba diving vacation. 

Despite the fear they put in many people, snakes are actually under threat in their own natural environment. Between the pressures caused by invasive species and the gradual destruction of their habitats, it’s no wonder that there are a number of snakes that are threatened with extinction.

Meet the rarest snakes in the world. These animals are not only mysterious and dangerous, some species are also very strange.

So many toxins and toxic substances roam the world we live in, making us vulnerable to their effect. There are chemical toxins in our food, air, and even in our favorite gadgets: pesticides, mercury, and even uranium are among those that contribute to health deterioration. By detoxing our bodies, we can prevent a series of health conditions that can start with the exposure to the toxins.

Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by the pair of grasping pedipalps and the narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back, ending with a venomous sting. Scorpions range in size from 9–12 mm (0.35–0.47 in) in Microtityus minimus to 23 cm (9.1 in) in Heterometrus swammerdami.

The evolutionary history of scorpions goes back to the Silurian period 435 million years ago. They have adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, and they can now be found on all continents except Antarctica. There are about 1,750 described species, with 13 extant (living) families recognised to date. Their taxonomy is being revised in the light of genomic studies.

You've heard that toxic chemicals are bad for you, but what exactly is a toxic chemical? Here's an explanation of what is meant by the term "toxic chemical" as well as examples of common toxic chemicals you may have in your home or encounter in the environment.

Carbon monoxide, or “CO,” is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill you. CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.