When you think of frightening animals - what images come to mind? Snakes, spiders, scorpions, and other creepy crawlies? Many animals that are scary to humans are venomous or poisonous. Venomous animals can inject venom into a person through a bite, sting, or spine. Poisonous animals are only harmful when eaten by a person. Find out what is fact and what is fiction about poisonous and venomous animals in this issue of Land, Sea & Air.

Many venomous and poisonous animals have terrifying reputations. K-3 students can discover the real reasons for these scary-seeming adaptations through these spine-tingling activities.

In the following activity, 6-8 grade students can learn to distinguish the difference between "venomous" and "poisonous" animals.

Immerse your class in this podcast where Julie Scardina introduces you to some venomous jellies as well as a some nonvenomous, but still dangerous, creatures of the deep.

Some venomous or poisonous animals look scary such as rattlesnakes and scorpions. Others, like lionfish and poison dart frogs, appear deceptively beautiful. The following are just some kinds of animals that are better viewed from a safe distance.

Myths and misconceptions about snakes can do more harm than good. In most parts of the world, the belief that all snakes are dangerous leads to the unnecessary killing of harmless snakes. And even venomous snakes only bite if they feel threatened and play an important role in their ecosystem. The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund provided a grant to the Participatory Snake Conservation Awareness Project to raise awareness about the importance of snakes through conservation education programs in Nepal. Learn more at the following link.

Frogs, even poisonous frogs, and other amphibians pose little threat to humans, but at least a third of amphibian species around the world are in danger of going extinct due to climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and even a deadly fungal disease. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums designated 2008 as the Year of the Frog in order to raise awareness that amphibians need our help - not just in 2008, but in future years as well. Visit the following link to learn which species are most at risk. Discuss with your class the various threats to frogs and how humans can help amphibians.

The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is also helping amphibians through grants to several organizations involved in amphibian conservation. Visit the following link to discover more on one project trying to save amphibians throughout the United States.

What is a great way to see some scary creatures while staying safe? Through an overnight sleepover designed just for your class or group. Discover more about Busch Gardens Tampa sleepovers featuring various creatures of the night at the following link.