Don't Lick That! It's Poisonous!

Don't Lick That! It's Poisonous!

Freaky Fauna Files by The Chicken & The Egg
S1 · E18
Jun 24, 2025
37:42

Episode notes

Welcome to the 18th episode of Freaky Fauna Files, where we’re diving headfirst into the dangerous world of poisonous creatures and their lethal line of defense!

In this episode, we take a closer look at three animals that don’t just defend themselves, they make predators think twice before even trying.

First up is the notorious cane toad, an invasive amphibian armed with a creamy white toxin. We’ll explore how this seemingly clumsy hopper has become one of the most ecologically disruptive (and deadly) creatures in Australia and why its poison is so effective.

Next, we’ll swim over to the oceans to meet the adorable but deadly pufferfish. With its iconic balloon-like inflation and powerful tetrodotoxin (TTX), this fish is a masterclass in deceptive danger. You’ll learn how it defends itself, why it’s one of the most poisonous vertebrates on Earth, and why chefs need a license just to serve it.

Finally, slither into the shadows with us as we uncover the secrets of the Asian tiger keelback snake, a rare case of a poisonous and venomous snake. This freaky fauna not only produces venom, but also sequesters toxins from its prey and stores them in glands for later use. Yes, this snake steals its poison.

Join us as we explore the wicked world of toxic animals, uncovering how poison as a defense isn’t just effective, it’s downright freaky.

Next time, we will be exploring the freakiest freaks of nature. We're talking translucent skin, detachable limbs, and more! See you next time :)

Thanks for listening and stay Freaky! 🐸🐡🐍

p.s. Thank you all for your patience, we have been waiting for our new Mics! If you have any feedback about sound quality, feel free to let us know what you think :)

Keywords

freakyfaunafiles
biology podcast
bizarre wildlife
Freaky animals
Strange animal adaptations
Weird animals podcast
Poisonous animals
pufferfish
asian tiger keelback snake
cane toad
dangerous food
toxic animals
fugu