If given the chance, would you embark on an expedition in the desert? When we think of amazing places to visit, deserts aren’t always at the top of our lists. Instead, we might have our sights set on mountains or beaches.
However, deserts can be intriguing places to explore. If you enjoy warm, dry weather, then you will likely find the desert appealing. Deserts also house unique plants and creatures that cannot be found anywhere else.
While hiking through the desert, you might come across towering cacti. You may also spot an armadillo. Of course, there are a few creatures you should keep an eye out for, such as snakes and scorpions.
Scorpions are arachnids. They possess eight legs, just like their relatives: spiders, mites, and ticks. They tend to thrive in hot, dry deserts and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Have you ever encountered a scorpion? If so, you are already aware that they resemble tiny lobsters with intimidating pincers and a long, slender tail that curves over their backs, ending in a barb capable of delivering a venomous sting.
That venomous barb, known as a telson, can incapacitate and kill the scorpion’s prey, which typically consists of various insects. Occasionally, scorpions may even dine on spiders, lizards, and small rodents.
Scorpions rely on their venom not only to subdue prey but also to defend themselves against predators such as snakes, lizards, and birds.
Although many people fear scorpions due to their intimidating appearance and venomous tails, scorpions do not pose much of a threat to humans. Out of the over 2,000 different scorpion species, only 30-40 of them produce venom potent enough to kill a human.
For instance, only one scorpion in the United States — the Arizona bark scorpion — produces venom strong enough to be fatal to a young child. As a general rule, scorpions will only sting humans when they feel threatened. Hospitals in areas with high scorpion populations stock ample amounts of antivenom, making deaths from scorpion stings quite rare.
Scorpions are true survivors. They have existed since before the time of the dinosaurs. They possess fascinating abilities that enable them to survive in some of the world’s harshest conditions.
When food is scarce, they can lower their metabolism to survive on just one insect for a year. They can sustain themselves solely on the moisture they obtain from their food. They can also survive underwater for two days and even recover from being frozen!
Give It a Try
Are you eager to learn more about scorpions? Make sure to engage in the following activities with a friend or family member:
- There is a wide variety of scorpions. To get an idea of what some of them look like, you can check out the Scorpion Photo Gallery online. Which scorpions appear the most intimidating to you? Why? How would you react if you encountered a scorpion in its natural habitat?
- Scorpions are closely related to spiders, so one might assume they get along well. However, scorpions are actually fierce predators that will consume almost anything, including spiders! You can go online and watch Scorpion vs Spider in Slow Motion to witness these two arachnids fighting for survival.
- Do you reside in an area abundant with scorpions? If so, it might be useful to know what to do if you ever get stung by one. Visit How To Treat Scorpion Stings online to learn about the necessary steps to take if you suspect you have fallen victim to a scorpion’s attack.
Valuable Sources
- https://www.natgeokids.com/nz/discover/animals/general-animals/scorpion-facts/
- https://www.scorpsweep.com/facts/
- https://www.thoughtco.com/scorpion-facts-4135393
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