The scorpion family is divided into two subfamilies; the Buthidae (true scorpions) and the Chactidae (false scorpions). Many different species of scorpions can be found throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, and even Antarctica. Scorpions are considered arthropods, meaning they have jointed legs and a hard exoskeleton. They are covered in spines, which protect them from predators. They are also known for their venomous stings, which contain neurotoxins that paralyze prey, making it easier for the scorpion to eat its meal.
Scorpions belong to the order Scorpiones, which means they are related to spiders. True scorpions have eight segments in their bodies, while false scorpions only have six. Most scorpions in North America live in deserts and dry grasslands, but some species live in tropical rainforests. The largest number of scorpions lives in Mexico.
True scorpions are usually brownish-red, orange, black, yellow, or white. Their body size ranges from 2 - to 5 inches long. Some species have tails longer than their bodies. False scorpions vary in color from tan to yellow. Their body sizes range from 1 - to 4 inches long.
Scorpions can live anywhere from 2 months to 10 years depending on their species. Most scorpion species are nocturnal hunters, but some species may hunt at night while others prefer daytime hunting. Some scorpions will even hunt during the day if they sense danger. There are over 200 true scorpion species in North America. Most of these species live in the southwestern United States. However, not all scorpions are poisonous. Many scorpions use their stingers to defend themselves against other animals. Others use their poison to catch insects or small rodents. Only some scorpions inject toxins into their victims.
Some of the most common scorpions in North America include:
• Black scorpion
2. Scorpions have eight legs, two pairs of pincers at the front end, and a tail ending with a stinger. Their bodies are covered with short hairs called setae.
3. Scorpions are divided into three groups based on their lifestyle: hunters, scavengers, and parasites. Hunters are active predators that hunt other animals, while scavengers feed off dead animals. Parasites live off of insects and other small creatures.
4. Scorpions use their stings to kill prey. The stinger has two barbs, each containing a poison gland. When the scorpion is ready to sting its victim, it wraps its body around the prey and releases the toxin from the glands. This causes muscle spasms, paralysis, and eventually death.
5. Scorpions eat smaller invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and even mammals. They are opportunistic predators that usually avoid humans unless they become trapped in some way.
6. Scorpions are typically nocturnal. They spend most of their time underground, hiding in burrows or under logs and rocks. They come out in search of food during daylight hours.
7. Scorpions are predators and scavengers. They eat small animals and sometimes larger ones too. Scorpions are known to prey upon small rodents, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, and occasionally humans. If they feel threatened, they will use their stinger to defend themselves. A scorpion's sting is a neurotoxin that paralyzes its victim and causes them to die slowly.
8. There are over 1,000 different species of scorpions worldwide, with many more still undiscovered. They come in a variety of colors including black, brown, red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, white, gray, pink, and combinations thereof.
9. Scorpions are often confused with spiders due to their similar appearance. However, they can easily be distinguished by their pincers instead of spider webs. Scorpions have six eyespots on each side of their head, while spiders only have four. Also, scorpions' tails are much longer than spiders'.
10. Scorpions can be identified by their distinct pattern of stripes or bands on their bodies. These patterns vary among species but are always visible. Scorpions are usually striped along their back and sides, but not always.
