Scorpions

Scorpions

Rachelle Wallace
University of Georgia, Athens

Pseudoscorpion on fly legs
Pseudoscorpion on fly legs

Last updated: 21 June, 2005

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Overview

Scorpions are numerous in species, with about 1,300 species known world-wide. They are characterized by a long, segmented body and a venomous stinger on the tail. The venom found in the stinger contains many neurotoxins, and can be used by the scorpion as both a defense and a means of capturing prey. Scorpions are often believed to be desert animals, but they occupy many other habitats, such as grasslands, savannahs, forests, and caves. They are nocturnal predators and often feed on insects, spiders, and centipedes. Larger scorpions will also prey on other scorpions.

There are about 90 species of scorpions found in the United States, and of these 90, only one species has a powerful enough venom to be considered a danger to humans. The venom causes severely painful symptoms to appear, but is rarely fatal. This species has been found mainly in Arizona, but there are also small pockets of the species that have been found in Southeast California and Utah.

Index

Phylogeny

Scientific Name -- Common Name
Arthropoda -- Arthropods

Index

Links to other sites

  • International Society for Arachnology -- Information on Arachnida.
  • Texas A&M Entomology Department -- A catalog of Arachnids.
  • Tree of Life -- Taxonomy of Arachnids, including scorpions.
  • Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System -- Scorpions by John A. Jackman.
  • Palaeos -- Scorpions Information.
  • Index

    References

    Discover Life | All Living Things | Identification Guides | Scorpions