Scorpions are animals that arouse interest in humans for the mere fact of being considered dangerous, poisonous and lethal. But beyond these perceptions, these arthropod arachnids feature some interesting, surprising and relevant facts not only as knowledge but for science as well.
Scorpions are part of one of the most diverse, outstanding and enigmatic taxonomic groups: arachnids. That is why we have compiled some data describing their characteristics and peculiarities.
1. There are approximately 2,000 species of scorpions, according to raw estimations.
2. Scorpions live in subtropical and tropical regions around the world.
3. Scorpions are not insects; they are arachnids. Both belong to the same phylum (Arthropoda), but they belong to different classes (class Insecta and class Arachnida).
4. All Scorpions are poisonous, but only 30 to 40 of them have enough toxins to kill a human being.
5. Mothers can attack and eat their young when no other food is available.
6. Scorpions do not chew their food, they dissolve the tissues of their prey with digestive juices and aspirate the nutrients in semi-liquid form.
7. Scorpion venom has properties that can treat heart diseases and even some types of cancer.
8. Beta-carboline is the main component that enables the fluorescence of scorpions.
9. When a scorpion stomps its sting, it does not always decide to release its venom.
10. Although mice are part of the diet of the large scorpions, the grasshopper mouse (Onychomys torridus) has no fear of the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus), as it is immune to its venom.
11. Scorpions are the oldest known arachnids.
12. Lizards, Tarantulas, and meerkats are just a few examples of their most common predators.
13. Kanchana Ketkaew is a brave Filipino woman who lived for 33 days with more than 5,300 scorpions and is now part of the Guinness records.
14. Some species have a life expectancy of up to 20 years.
15. The worst enemy of scorpions is the man, who catches them as pets or as food, in addition to destroying their natural habitat and annihilating them instantly because of the danger that some of them represent.
Sources:
Animals, a visual encyclopedia. Second edition. Smithsonian 2012.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/scorpion/#scorpion-tail-up.jpg
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/scorpion/
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/arachnida/scorpiones.html
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