Bark
Scorpion (Arachnid)
Size: Adult length, 1 3/4-2 3/4 inches.
Range: Southern and Southwestern United States and Mexico.
Habitat: During the day in dark places such as under rocks, in cracks, under concrete sidewalks and edges, under overgrown bushes, wood piles, and hollow block walls; Hunt in a wide variety of places where insects and spiders occur.
Diet: Favorite food is Crickets, but will also eat other insects, spiders and anything it can overpower.
Life Span: It takes about five years to reach full size. Lives 5-9 years.
Status: Common.
Interesting facts:
· Anatomy: Tails are long & slender with a stinger at the end which can be curled over the back to sting prey. They have thin pincers up front and four pair of legs(8 legs just like spiders). The body is yellowish to brown, (straw colored).
· Senses: Eyes are present; the anterior shield has large paired, eyes, and toward each side there are two to five smaller eyes. They do not see well, so depend upon touch sensing with the numerous hairlike organs on the tail, legs and pincers.
· Molt: Grow by molting (shedding exoskeleton), common to all arachnids.
· Feeding Behavior: Waiting for small prey to come close, then grab it with pinchers. Feed on larger prey by stinging them. Small catches are torn apart with the pincers. Feeding consists of soft tissues and juices of the prey being sucked into the digestive tract by the pumping action of the pharynx.
· Activity Period: Feed at night (nocturnal). Most active when nighttime temperatures exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Certain areas scorpions are seen during winter.
· Defense: Attempt to run away and hide if possible. Will sting in self-defense if they are cornered, but are not considered aggressive. The venom of this species affects the nerves, causing severe pain and possibly death for young children, older people or people in poor health.
· Reproduction: Courtship consists of the male grasping the female's pincers with his pincers and walking around with her. He then drops his sperm on the surface, pulls her over the sperm, and waits for her to take it up into her sexual opening. Fertilized eggs develop into embryos in broodchambers in the mother's body.The eggshell around the young breaks during birth, releasing the young fully developed. The female carries the young on her back for 7-10 days.
Try looking for scorpions with a black light at night and see how they glow green in the light.
