This illustrated guide gives young readers a close look at dangerous animals and plants. The detailed information is broken down into accessible segments, and fact panels show the size of the animals and plants. In a hostile world, how do animals and plants protect themselves? Many have developed a range of armour, spines, chemical weapons and poisons to fend off attackers. A blue-ringed octopus flashes its rings as a warning, one bite and death will soon follow. But some animals aren't protecting themselves, they are catching food. Paralyzed by poison, a spider's doomed victim is unable to escape.