Scorpion Characteristics

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 11 February 2021
Update Date: 12 November 2024
Anonim
10 Amazing Facts About Scorpions
Video: 10 Amazing Facts About Scorpions

Content

There are more than 1,000 species of scorpions in the world. Also known as lacraus or alacraus, they are characterized by being poisonous animals which have a segmented body in several metamers, large claws and a marked stinger in the posterior area of ​​the body. They inhabit virtually all regions of the world under rocks or tree trunks and feed on small animals such as insects or spiders.

Together with the known pycnogonids, they form the group of cheliceriformes, which are mainly characterized by the presence of chelicerae and the absence of antennae. However, they have many other attributes or qualities that make these animal arthropods very interesting. If you want to know more about scorpion characteristics, be sure to read this article by PeritoAnimal.


Is the scorpion an insect?

Due to the small size and the body structure divided into segments that these animals have, we can think that they are insects. However, although both are arthropods, scorpions are related to spiders, as they belong to the Arachnids class of the subphylum of chelicerates.

Scorpions are characterized by the presence of chelicerae and absence of antennae, while insects belong to the class Insecta, which is included within the subphylum of hexapods and lack these characteristics of chelicerates. Therefore, we can say that the scorpion is not an insect, it is an arachnid.

The scorpion's scientific name, of course, depends on the species. The yellow scorpion, for example, is the Tityus serrulatus. The scientific name of the emperor scorpion is the Pandinus Imperator.


origin of the scorpion

Fossil data indicate that scorpions appeared as aquatic forms about 400 million years ago and later conquered the terrestrial environment. Furthermore, the position of the lungs of these arthropods is similar to the position of the gills of Eurypterids, chelicerate animals already extinct in the marine habitat and from which some authors believe that today's terrestrial scorpions are derived.

scorpion anatomy

Focusing now on the characteristics of scorpions referring to their anatomy and morphology, we can say that scorpions have a body divided into two regions: the prosome or previous region and the opistosome or posterior region, formed by a set of segments or metamers. In the latter, two parts can also be distinguished: the mesosome and the metasome. The body length of scorpions can vary greatly. The largest scorpion ever found is up to 21 cm while there are others that do not reach 12 millimeters.


On the prossoma, they have a carapace with two central ocelli (simple eyes) together with 2-5 pairs of lateral ocelli. Thus, scorpions can have two to 10 eyes. In this region are also found the animal's appendages which consist of a pair of chelicera or mouthpieces, a pair of pedipalps claw-finished and eight articulated legs.

In the messoma area is the genital operculum, consisting of a pair of plates that hide the genital orifice. Behind this operculum is the pectin plate, which acts as a union point of the combs, structures of scorpions with chemoreceptor and tactile function. In the mesosome there are also 8 stigmas or respiratory openings that correspond to the foliaceous lungs, which are like animal book pages. Thus, scorpions perform lung breathing. Likewise, in the messoma is the digestive system of scorpions.

The metasome is formed by very narrow metamers forming a kind of ring at the end of which is a venom vesicle. It ends in a sting, characteristic of scorpions, into which the gland that produces the poisonous substance flows. Find out about 15 types of scorpions in this other article.

all about the scorpion

The characteristics of scorpions focus not only on their physical appearance, but also on their behavior, and that is where we will start.

scorpion behavior

These animals are usually nocturnal, as they prefer to go out in search of food at night and be more inactive during the day, which allows them less water loss and better temperature maintenance.

Their behavior at the time of breeding is quite remarkable, as they carry out a kind of nuptial dance between male and female very characteristic. First, the male places a spermatophore with sperm on the ground and then, grabbing the female, pulls her to place her on top of the spermatophore. Finally, the male pushes the female down to exert pressure on the spermatophore and the sperm open to allow the sperm to enter the female.

Where do scorpions live?

The habitat of scorpions is very diverse, as they can be found from areas with great vegetation to places very arid, but always hidden under rocks and logs during the day, which is another one of the most representative characteristics of the alacraus. They inhabit practically all continents, except places where temperatures are extremely cold. In this way, we find species like the Euscorpius flaviaudis, that inhabits the African continent and southern Europe or species such as the Superstitionia donensis, which is found in different countries in America.

Scorpion feeding

Scorpions are carnivores and, as we mentioned, hunt at night. They have the ability to detect their prey through vibrations in the air, on the ground and also through chemical signals. Your diet consists of insects such as crickets, cockroaches, flies and even spiders, but they can also feed on lizards, small rodents, birds and even other scorpions.

which scorpion is poisonous

According to the Ministry of Health, were registered 154,812 accidents by scorpion in Brazil in 2019. This number represents 58.3% of all accidents with venomous animals in the country.[1]

O danger of the scorpions is variable, as it depends on the species. While some specimens are more peaceful and defend themselves only in case they are attacked, others are more aggressive and have more powerful poisons capable of causing great damage to those who come in contact with them.

All scorpions are poisonous and they have venom capable of killing insects, their main prey. But only a few species are actually dangerous to us humans. THE scorpion sting it causes, in most cases, the same sensation as a bee sting, which means that it is quite painful.

However, there are species that have deadly poisons for humans, as is the case of the black-tailed scorpion (Androctonus bicolor). The sting of this scorpion causes respiratory arrest.

Scorpion venom works hard and quickly on its victims and is classified as neurotoxic as it acts especially on the nervous system. Such poison can cause death from asphyxia and cause motor paralysis and blockage of the commands responsible for breathing.

Most common symptoms after scorpion stings

Among the symptoms caused by scorpion venom are:

  • Pain in the pricked region
  • Redness
  • Swelling

In more serious cases, the scorpion sting can also cause:

  • vomiting
  • Headache
  • nausea
  • muscle spasms
  • Abdominal pain
  • excessive salivation

What to do in case of a scorpion sting

When a person suffers a scorpion sting, the recommendation is that she quickly go to a hospital and, if possible, capture and take the animal to the hospital so that the medical team can identify the appropriate anti-scorpion serum. Taking a photo of the animal can also be helpful.

The serum is not always indicated, it depends on the type of scorpion and its venom. Only a health professional can make this assessment and make the diagnosis. Also know that there is no home treatment to treat a bite. Anyway, there are some measures that should be taken when being stung by a scorpion, such as cleaning the bite site with soap and water and not cutting or squeezing the affected area.

Other curiosities of scorpions

Now that you know the main scorpion characteristics, these other curious data can also be very interesting:

  • They can live between 3 and 6 years, but there are cases where they can last longer than that.
  • In certain countries, such as Mexico, these animals are known as “alacraus”. In fact, in different regions of the same country, small scorpions are also called alacraus.
  • Are ovoviviparous or viviparous and the number of offspring varies between 1 and 100. After they leave, adult scorpions give them parental care.
  • They mainly use their large claws to hunt their prey. The injection of venom through their stingers is mainly used in cases of defense or capturing more difficult prey.
  • In some countries, such as China, these arthropods are consumed by humans, as they are also believed to be medicinal.

If you want to read more articles similar to Scorpion Characteristics, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.