Answer: As far as we know there are some poisonous snails, and, in fact they are so poisonous that their venom can be fatal to humans. These snails are known as Cones and are marine molluscs. They live in sandy mud, mainly in the tropics and are found on the reefs of Australasia. Cones are large and have shells which people like to collect - obviously at great risk! They have few predators and their venom paralyses their prey.

There is also a suggestion that, in Britain, thrushes have left yellow-banded snails alone because, in common with some other brightly coloured animals, they could be poisonous. This has not yet been proved.