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Scorpions
The scorpion is a relative of the spider, the tick, the mite and the
King Crab, all of which comprise the class Arachnida. Like all
arachnids, scorpions have eight legs, no antennae or wings, and only
2 body parts: a cephalothorax and an abdomen. As members of the
order Scorpionida, they have two other pairs of appendages:
powerful, pincer-like claws, pedipalps for grasping and crushing
prey; and small chelicerae, for tearing prey apart before they suck
the juices from the body.
The segmented tail --
actually a narrow post-abdomen -- is carried arched over their
backs. This tail ends in a sharp, hollow stinger through which a
poison is squirted. This sting immobilizes larger prey when
necessary. Most scorpions retreat rather than fight and will not
normally sting humans unless provoked.
Sting
Scorpions will sting, but usually only when provoked or disturbed.
Scorpion venom is a neurotoxin, but the dose injected usually is
insufficient to prove fatal to an adult human;however, the site of
the sting may be sore and swollen for some time.
There are two types of
scorpion poisons known to exist. One is a hemotoxin that causes mild
effects like edema, discoloration and pain; the other is a dangerous
neurotoxin that may cause severe effects like convulsions,
paralysis, cardiac arrest and death, but this is quite rare.
What do I do if I am stung?
If
you believe a scorpion has stung you, call your doctor
immediately or call Arizona Poison Control Center:
1-800-362-0101
Life Cycle
Scorpions have a long life
cycle. Three to five years may be normal. Males and females go
through a courtship ritual prior to mating. Scorpions do not lay
eggs and the young are born alive. After birth the young scorpions
climb on the back of the mother and remain there until after their
first molt. Scorpions are cannibalistic and will readily eat their
own species. Females will often eat their own young.
Scorpions are most active at
night. They hide under boards, rubbish, or similar debris, which
provide shelter and protection. Places commonly infested in a home
are under the house or in the attic. They feed on insects, spiders,
or similar small animal life
After mating, the female may kill and eat the male. From 20 to 40
young are born from an encased, thin membrane the mother breaks
open. She then stretches out flat allowing them to climb on her
back, where they ride for a week or more, until they shed their
skins for the first time. The young then become independent and live
a solitary life that may last several years.
Southwest Desert Scorpions
There are a number of species of the Centruroides genus, all of
which are brown to tan in color. They are generally about 2-1/2
inches long, with some species displaying greenish-yellow stripes
along each side.
Centruroides scorpions live
in dark crevices, under bark, stones, and ground litter and on dry
dirt roads. They range through the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of
southeastern California, western Arizona and northern Mexico.
The Giant Desert Hairy
Scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) is a large species between 5 and 6
inches long. It possesses a black cephalothorax, with each segment
being rimmed in pale yellow. Its under surface is pale, with erect
brown hair covering much of its body.
The Giant Desert Hairy
Scorpion ranges throughout all of the southwestern deserts of the
U.S. and is the largest of the 9 species of the genus Hadrurus
inhabiting the United States.
The Pale Windscorpion (Eremobates
pallipes) is a small, yellow-brown creature only 1/2 to 1 inch long.
Unlike a true scorpion, its eggs are laid in the soil, and the
female stands guard until hatching. An excellent hunter, the Pale
Windscorpion ranges throughout all of the deserts of the American
Southwest. There are more than 100 species in the Eremobates genus,
which only experts can tell apart.
Click for more
scorpion information...
3954 Frontage Rd.
Bullhead City, AZ, 86442
(928) 758-5499 or
Toll Free 888-236-0059
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4642 Stockton Hill Rd.
Kingman, AZ 86401
(928) 757-8165 |
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