Kingdom: animalia
Edge: arthropods
Subphylum: Chelicerata
super class: metastomes
Class: Arachnid
Subclass: dromopoda
Organize: scorpions
Families: 17+
Species: 1350+
Scorpion Overview
Scorpions are an interesting member of the class Arachnida. There are about 2,000 species of scorpions. They are distributed south of 49° N, except for New Zealand and Antarctica. Scorpions have a wide variety of habitats, from hot, dry deserts to lush tropical forests and anywhere in between.
Scorpions are nocturnal hunters, feeding primarily on insects such as crickets, beetles, cockroaches, spiders, centipedes, and millipedes. Being nocturnal, some hide under bark, rocks, or leaf litter during the day, while others dig burrows and lie in them waiting to go hunting until dark at night. All scorpions are poisonous. Scorpions use their venom to kill or paralyze their prey so they can eat it. They inject poison by hitting their prey with their barbed tail. The effects of the sting can range from mild localized pain to quite severe in humans.
The exact lifespan of many scorpion species is not known, but depending on the species, they can live anywhere from 4 to 20 years. Their size varies from as much as 0.5 inches as a full grown adult up to 8 inches.
sexed
Sexing scorpions can be quite difficult. Not only is it difficult to tell the difference between males and females before they mature, but also in different species you have to look for different things. More on separate species sexing to come…
Breeding
Most species of scorpions reproduce sexually. However, some scorpions reproduce through parthenogenesis, a process in which unfertilized eggs develop into living embryos. Parthenogenic reproduction begins after the scorpion’s final molt to maturity and continues thereafter. Sexual reproduction is achieved by the transfer of a spermatophore from the male to the female.
Mating begins when the male and female locate and identify each other through a mixture of pheromones and vibrational communication; once they have convinced each other that they are the opposite sex and the correct species, mating can begin.
Courtship begins with the male grasping the female’s pedipalps with his own; the pair then perform a “dance”. The male leads the female in search of a suitable place to deposit her spermatophore. When he has identified a suitable spot, he deposits the spermatophore and then guides the female over it. This allows the spermatophore to enter her genital opercula, triggering the release of sperm, thus fertilizing the female. The mating process can last from 1 to 25 hours or more and depends on the male’s ability to find a suitable place to deposit her spermatophore. If mating lasts too long, the female may eventually interrupt the process. Once mating is complete, it’s good to separate them in case the female tries to eat the male. However, sexual cannibalism does not occur as often.
As pets
If you are looking for a pet to hold and play with, a scorpion is NOT the pet for you. Scorpions should be treated with the utmost care and caution, they will not hesitate to attack if they feel threatened. They are excellent pets if your intentions are to study them and observe their behavior. Mind you, scorpions are still nocturnal and will spend most of the day hidden, so you may not see them as often. Do your research before deciding which type of scorpion is right for you.
Frequent questions
Ask: What is a good starter scorpion?
Answer: The best scorpion for a beginner is an emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator). These Scorpions are large and very docile, perfect for those just starting out in the hobby.
Ask: Can I hold my scorpion?
Answer: It is never suggested that you handle a scorpion. Not only can it be dangerous for you, but it can also stress your scorpion.