Scorpions (1100 Species)

Order Scorpionida

Appearance

•  Adult -1.5 - 21cm. Colour varies with species, from yellow to black. Easily distinguished by their pincers and a long, segmented tail bearing a stinger.

Lifecycle

• Scorpions have a long gestation period (from 2-18 months). Each female bears 25-35 young which climb onto to the mothers’ back.
•  They remain on her back for a week or two after birth. Once they climb down they are independent, and take two to six years to reach maturity.
•  The average scorpion lives three to five years, but some species can live up to 10-15 years.

Habits

•  Most scorpions are nocturnal.
•  As well as in hot, dry areas, scorpions are found in grasslands, savannahs, caves and deciduous / mountain pine / rain forests.
•  Scorpion venoms affect the victim's nervous system. Each species has a unique mixture.