Scorpio's mortal enemy. Types of scorpions

Our planet is inhabited by a variety of creatures. Man has always treated Scorpio especially, experiencing both fear and a kind of delight. Since ancient times, this animal has rightly been considered a dangerous adversary with whom it is better not to mess. This is not surprising, because some types of scorpions are deadly poisonous even to those many times larger than them. What can we say about the little things?

Today, scorpions have not lost their formidable glory, but among wildlife lovers there are many who treat these harsh predators with tenderness and love. Our article will tell you about what scorpions eat, and will certainly be useful to those who decide to get such an unusual exotic pet. It will also be of interest to those who decide to learn something new about this desert inhabitant.

Scorpio in nature

Everyone knows that many species of scorpions live in the desert. At first glance, the diet of its inhabitants may seem meager. However, the scorpion is not at all alone, and there are plenty of neighbors suitable for food in its natural habitat.

So, what does a scorpion eat in the desert? The basis of its diet is insects: beetles. The predator goes hunting in the dark. It approaches its prey slowly and silently, and then makes a lightning-fast throw. Having captured the victim's body with powerful claws, the scorpion is able to crush chitin with them, but if necessary, it also uses a deadly sting. It needs it not only for attack, but also for defense, so sometimes people also suffer from the bite of this arachnid.

Rodents, lizards and even small birds may also be of interest to a scorpion. He doesn’t get to enjoy such a delicacy very often, but he won’t miss the opportunity.

Meal frequency

It is important not only what scorpions eat, but also how often they do it. Don't think that this beast is voracious! Scorpio eats no more than a couple of times a week. And if necessary, he can eat even less often.

If you know what scorpions eat in nature, this will help you create a diet for a pet kept in a terrarium. But don’t forget about the frequency of feedings. You can’t overfeed a scorpion, but you shouldn’t starve it either. Feed him once every 3-4 days.

Diet of a scorpion in a terrarium

When choosing a menu, give preference to those foods that scorpions eat in their natural environment. In many pet stores you can easily find food cockroaches, mice, and crickets. In the summer, you can treat the scorpion to insects caught with your own hands in a meadow or forest.

This animal does not need vegetables; in any case, most scorpions do not show any interest in them.

It is known what scorpions eat in nature, so at home you should create a menu so that it is based on insects.

Drinking regime

Finding water in the arid desert is not easy, but the scorpion needs it. This animal is not averse to walking in the rain, so in its terrarium it needs not only a container of water, but also a regular shower (using a spray bottle). When understanding the question of what scorpions eat, do not forget about drinking. This arthropod does not need any other liquids like juice or milk, limit yourself clean water.

Children's menu

In the first few days after birth, scorpions do not eat at all. The babies, not yet covered with chitin, sit on their mother’s back, clinging to her and to each other. As soon as they acquire their own durable shells, they will leave their parent and go in search of food. Scorpios prefer not to engage in battles with larger and even comparable opponents.

In the question of what scorpions eat, this point is very important. For example, a cricket is an easy prey, but a young scorpion would never think of fighting a praying mantis. You should not traumatize your pet’s psyche by offering him insects or rodents that are too large. It is better to feed young animals with larvae.

Some interesting facts about nutrition

The venom of most scorpions is dangerous to small animals and insects, but will only cause some discomfort to humans. However, some species are capable of killing with a special substance that paralyzes the functioning of the nervous and of cardio-vascular system. When going to areas where scorpions are found, remember this, carefully inspect your shoes and clothing, and take care of the antidote in advance. But do not forget that the scorpion does not consider a person as food, so it will not attack itself.

Scorpio prefers live prey, but during periods of food shortage it can also be tempted by carrion. Science even knows cases of cannibalism, when scorpions feasted on their weaker brothers.

If you are planning to get yourself such an unusual pet, under no circumstances give it more food than it can eat at one time. Surprisingly, a couple of surviving flies flying around the terrarium can drive this formidable predator into depression. He will become restless and nervous.

Professional breeders believe that regular overfeeding shortens the lifespan of arthropods. But with an attentive and caring owner who has chosen the right one, this amazing creature will live for many years.

There are several animals that are the same small size and are capable of causing primal fear in people. It is probably no coincidence that both are members of the arachnid class, although the scorpion branch is much older, over 400 million years old. In fact, some prehistoric scorpions were enormous in size, reaching lengths of 70 cm (2 feet).

Although today's scorpions are somewhat smaller, there are still some species that are still deadly. All 1,750+ species of scorpions have a poisonous sting at the tip of their tail, but only about 20 of them have a venom strong enough to kill a human. Of these “medically important” species, all but one are members of the Buthidae family.

The scorpion's sting is intended for both hunting and protection. However, scorpions often prefer to hunt prey through brute force rather than venom and therefore reserve their sting for defense. Most scorpions hunt insects, although large scorpions are actually capable of capturing vertebrates such as mice.

The venom itself is a mixture of fast-acting toxins such as neurotoxins and enzyme inhibitors. With the exception of the top three scorpions on this list, a scorpion sting is unlikely to kill a healthy adult, but it will be an unpleasant experience. Symptoms range from something similar to a bee or wasp sting to seizures, shortness of breath and even death.

According to rough estimates, 1.2 million scorpions sting worldwide each year, leading to approximately 3,250 deaths, which also indicates a fatality rate of 0.27%. Of these deaths, about 1,000 occur in Mexico.

Below is a list of the world's deadliest scorpions, which only covers 7 species. That's because most of the 20-odd dangerous scorpion species are closely related, so just for fun, we've limited the list.

7. Spitting black fat-tailed scorpion (lat. Parabuthus transvaalicus)

Photo. Black fat-tailed scorpion (lat. Parabuthus transvaalicus)

Also known as the South African fat-tailed scorpion, it is one of the largest species of the Buthidae family, reaching a length of up to 15 cm (6 in).

It is often said that if a scorpion has small claws and a thick, powerful tail, this indicates a stronger sting. Theoretically, this is due to the fact that the armed deadly poison the scorpion will not have to rely on its claws to catch and immobilize its prey.

This is certainly true for the spitting black fat-tailed scorpion, which is considered the most dangerous scorpion in South Africa. The lethal dose is 4.25 mg/kg, comparable in strength to cyanide. The size of scorpions and the ability to inject a large dose of venom contribute to the size of their tail.

An interesting fact about Parabuthus transvaalicus is that it produces two types of venom: the first is a "preventive" venom, which requires fewer resources to produce and is used to immobilize smaller prey or deliver a warning bite. If he uses a different poison, then this is a more toxic version, which allows the scorpion to fight larger prey or save its life.

Generally speaking, a healthy adult would be very unlucky to die from this scorpion's sting, since the mortality rate is less than 1%. But that doesn't mean it will be an even remotely pleasant experience! In every third case, the following may occur: intense pain, sweating, drooling, muscle cramps and rapid heartbeat.

Oh, and as an added bonus (you guessed it!) a spitting scorpion can spit its venom up to 1 meter (3 feet), causing temporary blindness and possibly permanent eye damage.

6. Yellow fat-tailed scorpion (lat. Androctonus australis)

Photo. Yellow tree scorpion (lat. Androctonus australis)

The Latin name for this group of scorpions is Androctonus, which translates to “man killer.” This is quite appropriate, since they are responsible for several deaths each year in the arid regions of North Africa and Southeast Asia.

Together with the emperor scorpion (Latin: Pandinus imperator), they are one of the most popular species in the exotic pet trade. This fact further increases the likelihood of contact with people.

The species' common name refers to its powerful tail, whose sole purpose is to thrust its stinger into its prey or attacker. The venom injected when the Arabian fat-tailed scorpion stings is one of the most potent neurotoxins of any scorpion. These fast-acting poisons attack the central nervous system, which leads to paralysis and, most sadly, to respiratory failure.

While highly venomous, the yellow tree scorpion (yellow tree scorpion, Androctonus southernis) is a tough nut to crack. While the desert is known for its inhospitability, there are several animals that can survive a sandstorm. Most will burrow into the sand to find shelter, but not these fat-tailed scorpions. These scorpions are known for being able to withstand sandblasting whirlwinds powerful enough to strip paint off steel without any sign of damage. Apparently, this is due to the special surface of its exoskeleton.

5. Arizona tree scorpion (lat. Centruroides exilicauda)

Photo. Arizona tree scorpion (lat. Centruroides exilicauda)

Reaching less than 7.5 cm (3 in) in length, this tree scorpion is considered a . As the name suggests, it is found in the deserts of Arizona (California and Utah).

The potentially fatal neurotoxic venom is known to cause severe pain that has been described as convulsing from an electric shock. In more serious cases, numbness, vomiting and diarrhea occur, and death may occur.

During the 1980s, more than 800 people were killed by the Arizona tree scorpion in Mexico. If untreated, the mortality rate from a bite ranges from 1 to 25% depending on the age of the victim and general condition health. Fortunately, there is an effective antidote these days, which is why there hasn't been one in Arizona. death for more than 40 years.

4. Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (lat. Androctonus crassicauda)

Photo. Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (lat. Androctonus crassicauda)

The Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus fat-tailed) is a relative of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion. As the name suggests, it is found throughout the Arab world in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey, and can also be found in North Africa.

The Arabian fat-tailed scorpion is a medium-sized scorpion that preys on a range of predatory insects and spiders, including lizards and small rodents.

In addition to having a potentially lethal venom, it is also quite aggressive in nature.

3. Brazilian yellow scorpion (lat. Tityus serrulatus)

Photo. Brazilian yellow scorpion (lat. Tityus serrulatus)

You may have already guessed from the name of the scorpion that this scorpion can be found in Brazil. But the name of the scorpion itself does not convey the fact that it is the most dangerous scorpion in South America.

Unfortunately, this species comes into contact with humans too often and stings thousands of people every year. In the best cases, the victim becomes intoxicated after a painful bite, but several secondary symptoms such as nausea and rapid heartbeat. As the poison spreads throughout the body, a state of hyperesthesia may occur, making the person extremely sensitive to even the slightest touch of the body.

More severe bites may result in abdominal cramps, vomiting and difficulty breathing. For older and very young people, there is a real risk of death from cardiopulmonary failure.

Even though the Brazilian yellow scorpion uses its venom sparingly, resulting in low mortality, it still causes a large number of deaths each year.

2. Yellow scorpion (lat. Leiurus quinquestriatus)

Photo. Yellow scorpion (lat. Leiurus quinquestriatus)

This scorpion has several names: deathstalker, deathstalker, which say that it is difficult to avoid. Measuring only about 58mm (2.5 inches) in length, this is one scorpion you wouldn't want to find in your trunk. It is distributed throughout North Africa and the Middle East. This scorpion, with its miniature size and insignificant-looking pincers, is armed with an extremely painful sting, which contains a cocktail of powerful neurotoxins (chlorotoxin) and cardiotoxins.

The yellow scorpion is one of the very few scorpions that pose a serious danger to healthy adults. However, most adult males can survive the bite, due in part to an innate resistance to the venom. Either way, it won't be a pleasant experience.

1. Indian red scorpion (lat. Hottentotta tamulus)

Photo. Indian red scorpion (lat. Hottentotta tamulus)

Typically, red is one of the warning colors in wildlife and the Indian red scorpion is, of course, no exception to this rule. Possibly the most dangerous scorpion in the world, this arachnid is one to avoid.

Found in Eastern India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, this scorpion hunts at night, feeding on insects and sometimes even small lizards and mice. Reaching a length of almost 9 cm (up to 4 inches), this is a fairly large scorpion, but as we know, size does not mean anything in the world of scorpions. They have very strong venom, as does the bite itself. Indian red scorpions show thanks to this high performance in terms of mortality, somewhere between 8% and 40%. As with all Scorpios, this rate is high among older and younger people.

Although we do not have lethal dose (LD50) statistics for Hottentotta tamulus, it is close to its relative Hottentotta saulcyi, which has 1.1 mg/kg, about the same as the poison strychnine. The symptoms are too unpleasant: strong pain, vomiting, sweating and convulsions. For real dangerous symptoms, which affect the functioning of the heart and lungs, lead to pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), which is the main cause of death. This occurs 24 hours after the bite.

Video. Indian red scorpion

Scorpion is a detachment of arthropods from the class of arachnids (lat. Scorpiones - scorpions). These are interesting and unusual creatures that lead an exclusively terrestrial lifestyle and are most often found in countries with hot climates.

Scorpio - description, structure and photographs.

The appearance of the scorpion is quite terrifying: the cephalothorax, wide in front and slightly tapering at the junction with the elongated segmented abdomen, is crowned with a pair of impressive claws, which serve as a tool for capturing long-awaited prey. Another pair of scorpion limbs has become a rudiment, located near the mouth and performs the function of the jaw organs - the mandibles. The remaining four pairs of scorpion legs, attached to the lower part of the abdomen, provide it with a fairly high speed of movement on shifting sand in the desert or on rocky soils in mountainous areas.

Adjacent to the last segment of the abdomen is a relatively small pear-shaped capsule segment with glands that produce poison. Scorpion poison very dangerous, the scorpion injects it into its victim with a sharp needle. The scorpion's body is covered with a very durable chitinous shell, so it has practically no enemies that can harm it.

Scorpio eyes.

Scorpios' vision is very well developed. There are 2-8 eyes on the upper cephalothorax of the scorpion. One pair of eyes is larger and is called the median eyes. It is located in the middle of the cephalothorax. The remaining eyes of the scorpion are located near the front edge in lateral groups, they are called lateral eyes.

What color is a scorpio?

The color of a scorpion depends on its habitat and can be sandy yellow, brown, black, gray, purple, orange, green. There are also colorless species with a transparent body.

Types of scorpions, names and photographs.

• Imperial scorpion(lat. Pandinus imperator) is a real giant among its relatives. The body length can reach 10-15 cm, and together with the tail and claws it can exceed 20 cm. Emperor scorpions are characterized by a black color with a noticeable dark green tint. The pincers with which they capture and hold prey are thick and wide. Under natural conditions they can live up to 13 years. This type of scorpion lives in the tropical forests of West Africa. Shelters in which they wait out the heat of the day are made in the ruins of stones, under fallen tree bark or in dug holes. The diet of young emperor scorpions consists of small insects; adults can attack small amphibians and.

Imperial scorpion

• Tree scorpion (lat. Centruroides exilicauda) has several varieties, the color of which can be either monochrome (different shades yellow color), and with black stripes or spots. The body length of adult individuals without a tail reaches 7.5 cm. The claws of tree scorpions are thin and long, and the thickness of the tail does not exceed 5 mm. This type of scorpion is common in the forests of North Africa, the deserts of the USA and Mexico. Unlike their relatives in the order, tree scorpions do not dig holes. They find a place to hide under pieces of tree bark, in rock crevices or in human dwellings. Such a neighborhood is quite dangerous because the bite of a tree scorpion can be fatal for children, the elderly and people with poor health. Scorpions feed on small and large insects, young and. They often attack relatives.

Tree scorpion

• Deserted hairy scorpion (lat. Hadrurus arizonensis) has a dark brown back and a light yellow tail. This contrasting coloring, along with the thin and long hairs that cover the legs and tail of the scorpion, are distinctive features of this type. The size of adult individuals can reach up to 17 cm including tail and claws. The distribution range of this species of scorpions includes the territories of southern California and the deserts of Arizona. They prefer to wait out the heat of the day in dug holes or under stones. The diet of the hairy scorpion consists of various crickets, moths and other insects.

Desert hairy scorpion (Gadurus arizonalis)

• Black fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus fat-tailed) (lat. Androctonus crassicauda) is widespread in the desert areas of the United Arab Emirates and reaches a size of 12 cm. The color of individuals can not only be different shades of black, but also vary from olive green to red-brown. During the day, scorpions take refuge in burrows, under ruins of stones, crevices of houses and fences near human habitats. The diet of this type of scorpion consists of large insects and small vertebrates.

Black fat-tailed scorpion

• (southern androctonus) (lat. Androctonus australis) is widespread in the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, Eastern India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This type of scorpion is characterized by a pale yellow body color and a dark brown or black sting. Adults can reach 12 cm in length. These scorpions live in rocky and sandy deserts or foothills. Minks, voids and crevices in rocks are used as shelters. They feed on various small insects. The venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion is so strong that it is fatal two hours after the bite. Unfortunately, no antidote has yet been found for this toxin.

• Stripedtal scorpion (lat. Vaejovis spinigerus) is a typical inhabitant of the deserts of Arizona and California. Color can be various shades of gray and Brown with characteristic contrasting stripes on the back. The length of an adult does not exceed 7 cm. This scorpion lives in burrows, but can wait unfavourable conditions under any object that allows you to hide from the scorching sun.

Stripedtal scorpion

Where do scorpions live?

It is quite possible to meet a scorpion on any landmass, with the possible exception of the Arctic, Antarctica and the islands of New Zealand. They feel quite comfortable in hot and temperate zones, in tropical and subtropical zones, hiding from the daytime sun in crevices, under stones or almost completely burying themselves in the sand. When night falls, scorpions come out to hunt.

Scorpions are the oldest order among terrestrial arthropods. In appearance they strongly resemble crayfish, but they are classified as arachnids. The largest representative is the imperial scorpion, whose body grows up to 18-20 cm in length. The scorpion has 4 pairs of legs and a poisonous sting at the end of its body. In most cases, a scorpion sting is not fatal to humans. It is accompanied by sharp pain, swelling and redness of the skin near the wound. The scorpion comes out to hunt for insects and spiders in the dead of night. When attacking, it inserts a sting into the victim’s body and injects poison. Most small animals die from such a bite. There are about 650 in the world various types scorpions, from a tiny creature just half a centimeter long to an impressive creature whose body length reaches 20 cm. Scorpions are considered the longest-lived among invertebrates. They can live up to 10 years. Some species are endangered due to the destruction of their habitat. Scorpions do not tolerate life well in captivity.
It is not so easy to see a scorpion in the wild - it is active mainly at night. But even at night, he will almost certainly sense a person approaching before you can see him. Sensing someone's appearance, the scorpion hurries to take refuge in the nearest shelter as soon as possible - for example, under a piece of tree bark or a layer of fallen leaves.
Scorpios do not have the best reputation. Indeed, they look scary, and the bite of some of them can be fatal to humans. They are also known to sometimes take hostile actions towards each other.
Scorpions react very sensitively and quickly to touching a moving object and either grab it if it is suitable prey, or retreat into a threatening pose: they bend their “tail” sharply and swing it from side to side. This animal tolerates cold, heat, hunger and even radiation very well. A scorpion has a dozen eyes, but despite this, it cannot see well! This, however, does not interfere with him: he stays awake and hunts at night, like a spider, learning about the approach of the victim by vibrations captured by the fibers covering his body. The scorpion grabs its prey with its claws and paralyzes it by injecting poison into its body using a stinger located at the end of its tail, which consists of 5 rings. On the last ring there is a vial of poison - a “telson”, or sting. The venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion (southern androcton) is almost as strong as that of a cobra: the neurotoxins it contains (nerve poisons) affect the nervous system of the victim. Small mammals die instantly. The poison is also deadly to humans.
The scorpion's body is divided into segments and equipped with a pair of large crab-like claws. The claws seem disproportionately large in relation to the scorpion's body. As a rule, the larger the scorpion itself, the darker the color of its body, and vice versa. The entire body of the scorpion is covered with a layer of a solid substance - chitin; the covering itself resembles a knight's armor. In the front of the mouth there are claw-like grips (pedipalps), with which the scorpion grabs pieces of food. The chest (thorax) of the scorpion consists of four parts, each of which is equipped with a pair of legs. The thorax passes into the abdomen, at the very end of which there is a sting - one of the most important distinctive features Scorpio. The body of a scorpion contains a substance that begins to glow when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, when searching for scorpions, scientists use ultraviolet lamps, thanks to which scorpions become clearly visible in the dark. Scorpions often gather in the light of a fire, like moths in the light of a candle or electric lamp.
Males and females of scorpions are generally very similar to each other, so that it is difficult even for a specialist to distinguish them. But females are usually somewhat thicker than males; in addition, the outgrowths located on the underside of the abdomen in males are usually longer than in females. The outgrowths are very sensitive, and thanks to them the scorpion can determine what surface it is crawling on. Apart from these outgrowths, the scorpion has no other organs of touch. And although it has several pairs of eyes, its vision is still weak - we can say that scorpions are myopic. Therefore, the growths on the abdomen are extremely important for the scorpion in finding the right path. The hairs located on these outgrowths pick up various vibrations well, and therefore the scorpion can sense the approach of prey from afar.
If you're traveling in the tropics, beware of deadly scorpions! From time to time, scorpions can be found in the most unexpected regions of the world - for example, in England, where most species are not found in the wild. They probably get there from the tropics, hidden in someone's luggage or in a container of imported fruit. Most scorpions love warmth and prefer to live in desert regions, for example, in the African Sahara Desert, some areas of Arizona in the USA or the arid corners of Australia. In central Russia there are not scorpions, but false scorpions. They are surprisingly similar to scorpions, only they do not have the famous poisonous “tail”. In addition, their favorite habitat is the undergrowth of rain forests, similar to those that grow in South America. In order to avoid overheating, they can bury themselves in the soil for a day or hide under stones. But besides this, Scorpios have another, very interesting way cooling his body. Scorpio can straighten his legs and stand so that his body does not come into contact with the soil. Accordingly, air circulates not only over the body, but also under it, and such circulation can significantly lower body temperature.
Scorpions can go without water for several months, which is very important for them since they live in hot and dry climates where there is often not enough water. They get most of the fluid their bodies need from the bodies of insects and other creatures they eat. But from time to time they like to drink water and even bathe in the morning dew.
Typically, scorpions prefer to live alone rather than in colonies, so a male or female manages to find a mate as a result of a happy accident. When such an event occurs, mating does not begin immediately after the meeting. First, a complex courtship ritual is performed. The male crawls up to the female from the front and captures her claws with his own. It looks as if they have decided to dance with each other. If the female resists the male's advances, he may threaten her with his stinger. In turn, she can also resort to this technique and also threaten him in response. When the male manages to win (usually this is the case), he takes the female to a place suitable for the marriage ceremony. He digs a hole in the soil with his feet and leaves his sperm there, which is picked up by the female. However, things then take a dramatic turn as sometimes the female devours the male immediately after mating. What a cruel attitude towards the father of your children! But the meaning of this paradox of nature is that such a meal is extremely nutritious and allows the female to give birth to strong offspring. Scorpion cubs do not hatch from eggs - scorpions are viviparous. The female gives birth to cubs several weeks after mating. Newborn scorpions are eight times smaller than their mother, but look like her exact likeness. They are born enclosed in a leathery shell, which the mother tears with her sting to release the cubs into the world. After that, they climb onto her back and stay there until they become old enough to live on their own. Sometimes there are so many babies hanging on the back of one scorpion that it seems as if she is wearing a shaggy fur coat. The cubs are born completely colorless and rather weak, so that they sometimes fall off the mother's back. But they grow quickly and, after molting seven times, reach the size of an adult.
If a scorpion stings, the victim must immediately receive health care. Otherwise, the bite may cause death.
Unfortunately, humans do not have keen enough hearing to perceive the specific sound made by a scorpion.
as a warning and threat. To produce this strange gurgling sound, the scorpion rubs the body with one of its legs, but not everyone can hear it. Not all scorpions are capable of stinging to death. Most of them are only dangerous if they are attacked or otherwise - then provoke them. Many scorpion stings are not more dangerous than a bite wasps, but some are deadly. Therefore, it is better to stay away from all scorpios just in case. A disturbed scorpion puts its claws in front of itself and bends its tail so that it is bent over its back and in this position is ready to sting the attacker. The scorpion's venom is at the tip of the sting; it is produced by two large glands. Being bitten by a scorpion is not as unlikely as it might seem. It’s hard to believe, but statistics say that per year in tropical countries and even in the United States, more people die from a scorpion bite than from poisonous snake bites. Bite The scorpion is so painful that in the Middle Ages the name "scorpion" was given to a type of torture scourge with steel spikes, the blows of which caused terrible pain.
According to legends, the body of a scorpion contains oil, which can be used to heal the bite inflicted by this scorpion, but there is no evidence of this. Whip scorpions, which are relatives of real scorpions, do not sting the enemy, but in order to scare away the attacker, they secrete a liquid that imitates poison. False scorpions , which are distant relatives of real scorpions, but lack a sting, are very small - their body length does not exceed 1 cm. They also hunt nearby insects, but do not sting them, but simply grab them with their claws. If some enemy, for example, a predatory humpback spider , manages to tear off the scorpion's sting, this ensures the scorpion's opponent victory in a mortal fight. Once two hundred scorpions were placed in one cage. Some time later, only one extremely well-fed scorpion remained in the cage, surrounded by the remains of its fellows. Scorpions can survive almost without food for many months, but in case of hunger they are also capable of eating representatives of their own species.
If you get a scorpion, do not reach out to it; feed and care for it using long anatomical tweezers. Then being around Scorpios will bring you nothing but pleasant moments!

The cephalothorax is solid, it has a pair of larger median eyes and up to 5 pairs of small lateral eyes. Near the head there are large pedipalps with claws. The abdomen ends in a long “tail” with a poisonous needle. Scorpio hunts at night and is especially active in hot weather. It walks slowly with its “tail” raised, its half-bent pedipalps with slightly open claws extended forward. The scorpion grabs its prey with its claws and kills it with a needle injection only if the victim resists. Scorpions feed on live prey - spiders, harvestmen, centipedes, various insects and their larvae; there are known cases of eating small lizards and even mice. They can fast for a very long time; there are known cases of fasting for up to one and a half years. Most species probably survive their entire lives without water, but some inhabitants of tropical rainforests drink water. In Transcaucasia, the Lower Volga region and throughout Asia, the motley scorpion (Buthus eupeus) is common - brown-yellow with dark spots and longitudinal stripes on the back, up to 6.5 cm long. In Crimea, especially on the Southern Coast, the Crimean scorpion (Euscorpius tauricus) is common - light yellow, the claws are narrow, brownish, length 3.5-4 cm. In Western Transcaucasia, the Mingrelian scorpion (E. min-grelicus) - reddish-brown - is common , paler below, up to 4 cm long. The Italian scorpion (E. italicus) also lives on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus - red-brown or almost black, up to 5.5 cm long.

There is a claim that a scorpion is capable of ending its life by “suicide” if it is surrounded by burning coals. This is far from true. The fact is that under the influence of strong stimuli, he can fall into a motionless state - the phenomenon of imaginary death (catalepsy), which is sometimes mistaken for “suicide”. But after a while the scorpion “comes to life”, unless it is baked from the heat.

The stings of our scorpions, as a rule, are harmless to people, except that they are unpleasant and painful. But the venom of tropical scorpions is deadly.

Scorpio field

Briefly about Scorpios

Scorpios are the oldest inhabitants of our planet. They have been known since the Silurian period: they have existed for 400 million years, when their ancestors crawled onto the shores of the Primary Ocean. Their cephalothorax is protected, like chain mail, by a segmented shell with a pair of eyes in the middle and several eyes (up to 5 pairs) on the sides. The entire chainmail is coated with a layer of crystalline wax, which reduces water loss. Some elements of the “armor” are nothing more than CaCO3. This protection allowed scorpions to survive in hot deserts. In many arthropods, the wax layer has a critical temperature - approximately +35 + 40 °, at which it becomes porous. But desert scorpions have a critical temperature that is still 20-25° C higher, so that with more low temperatures their outer cover is completely impenetrable.

Thus, the lethal threshold for one of the scorpion species turned out to be +47° C, and with an exposure of 25 hours and 10% relative humidity! When dehydrated, a scorpion loses only 30-40% of its mass.

When atomic bomb explosions were carried out in the Sahara in the past, only scorpions survived in the immediate vicinity - they withstood 134,000 roentgens! In short, these are extremely resilient creatures.

The first pair of mouthparts in scorpions and spiders are called chelicerae, which can be likened to the mandibles of insects. The second pair is called pedipalps, or tentacles. They form massive claws, like those of crayfish and crabs. The flexible, segmented meta-abdomen ends in a paired venom gland with claw-like needles. With this sting, the scorpion immobilizes the victim and defends itself from enemies, striking up and down with its tail. Scorpions' prey is predominantly small invertebrates, including weaker scorpions. Large species even eat small lizards and newborn mice. They spend their poison sparingly and inject no more of it than is necessary to kill the victim. Scorpions eat many small arthropods alive, without even using a sting. However, injections applied in self-defense contain maximum dose poison. Typically, scorpion victims crawl into their burrows in search of shelter. But at night, when they get hungry, scorpions actively go hunting, spreading their claws - pedipalps - and raising their tail straight up. Having grabbed the victim with its claws, the scorpion inflicts its injection, and then dismembers the prey, alternately using chelicerae. With the help of suction movements of the pharynx, the juices and soft tissues of the victim are drawn into the mouth. The scorpion eats slowly - one beetle for an hour or more. The abdominal membranes between the segments can stretch, and the engorged scorpion gets fat right before our eyes.

Some species of scorpions chirp or even “sing” by rubbing the jagged claws on the bases of the first pairs of walking legs. This “singing” is similar to grinding, although the reasons for the “singing” are incomparable to the chirping of grasshoppers: they are used in anticipation of an attack or defense. It is curious that during an attack these teeth are directed wide and upward, and during defense they are lowered directly in front of the head.

During the day, scorpions hide under stones, bushes of dry-loving plants, in rock cracks and abandoned holes. They are unsociable and do not tolerate the company of their own kind, not counting the breeding season. Some species dig their own inclined burrows up to 1 m long and up to 10-15 cm deep. Moorish scorpion (Scorpio maurus) digs holes up to 0.5 m deep - its powerful claws seem to be specially designed for digging. Their own burrows are easily identified by the remains of their meals - beetle elytra and other waste. Some tropical scorpions are diurnal, but mostly hide under bark, in foliage and forest floor.

The habitats of scorpions are very diverse - from the sea coast to the mountains, where they rise to 4000 m

above sea level. Scorpions are common in southeastern Europe; in Asia they are found from Turkey to the islands of the Malay Archipelago, throughout Africa, the Americas and Australia. Their distribution area covers the globe between 50° northern and southern latitudes. One of the types of scorpions, Carpathian (Euscorpius carpathicus) penetrated higher than others to the North: the southern slopes of the Alps are the northern border of their distribution. Interestingly, one species of scorpion, the yellowtail (Euscorpius flavicaudus), characteristic of the Mediterranean, was brought (apparently with cargo) back in the 19th century to the south-eastern regions of England, where it firmly established itself, although only in two limited areas. The motley scorpion is common in Russia (Buthus eupeus), where it is found in the Lower Volga region and further south (Transcaucasia and Central Asia). In America, they reached western Canada (British Columbia), and south to Chile and Argentina.

In stories where the action takes place in the desert or tropics, the author (or his hero) carefully shakes out his bed and shoes early in the morning, turns out his pockets - scorpions, salpugs and other “evil spirits” can choose someone’s boot as their refuge. They also hide under car seats, furniture and carpets. Some scorpions prefer human buildings, especially adobe and old, dilapidated ones. However, in Transcaucasia they were found in modern residential buildings up to the fourth floor. Although scorpions, especially desert scorpions, do not like bright light, at night they are attracted to bright lamps, where scorched insects often fall to the ground.

There are 800 known species of scorpions; The fauna of India is richest in them (80 species). They are divided into 6 families with 70 genera.

The imperial scorpion is considered a true colossus among scorpions. (Pandinus imperator), reaching a length of more than 20 cm - with good cancer! Its coal-black color has different shades depending on its habitat, be it wet lowlands or foothills. It lives in Equatorial Guinea and neighboring countries of West Africa. Scorpio is not much inferior to him - lobster (Heterometrus), inhabitant of the primary rain forests of Sri Lanka and Sumatra. It is curious that these two giants sting reluctantly, and their toxicity is relatively low. The scorpion reaches a respectable size Polamneus grammanus. It lives in tropical India, especially in its south, and is black and green in color. Its length together with its “claws” is 13 cm. However, this giant is not as dangerous as the small yellow Palestinian scorpion (Leiurus quinquinquestriatus), found in North Africa to Sudan south, the Middle East and the Red Sea coast. Its venom glands contain only 0.255 mg of poison, although this is not enough to harm an adult; death is only possible in children under 5 years of age. The fat-tailed scorpion is much more dangerous (Androctonus australis), living in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria to the north of Sudan, and in the east to India. A drop of its venom is almost as toxic as a drop of cobra venom and, as is known, its sting leads to the death of a person in 4 hours, and of a dog in 7 minutes. A case was recorded in Azerbaijan where a black scorpion of a similar species (Androctonus crassicaudd) stung an adult man sleeping on the sand, right in the temple, near the external carotid artery. The man died suddenly. This type of scorpion reaches 8.5 cm in length. Pygmy among scorpions - Microbothus pusillus, only 13 mm long.

There are 40 species of scorpions known in the United States, but only two are truly dangerous: Centruroides sculpturatus And S. gertshi. Medical statistics show that over 25 years, only 64 cases among countless stings resulted in death. Thus, fatal snake bites in the United States and Mexico are less common than scorpion stings. This is also confirmed by medical statistics in Algeria. Scorpion venom has a neurotoxic effect, it is similar to the effect of the venom of some snakes, but, among other things, it destroys red blood cells. In general, the sting of scorpions living in southern Russia, Crimea, the Caucasus and Central Asia is no more severe than a bee sting (the author was twice subjected to this attack), and these species reach no more than 6 cm with a tail.

Curious information about Caucasian scorpions was left to descendants by none other than the famous author of “The Three Musketeers” - Alexandre Dumas Sr. This is what he reported when he visited the city of Baku in 1858: “Scorpio in the Caucasus is the same as in Europe. Red scorpions are more dangerous than yellow ones, and black ones are more dangerous than red ones.

During our stay in Baku, although it was in November and therefore the weather was relatively cold, scorpions could always be found under the large stones on the southern side of the foot of the city wall.

Although the “sacrament of marriage” among scorpions was described in detail by the famous naturalist and entomologist Jean Henri Fabre (1823-1915), there are still some details of their behavior for a long time remained a mystery.

Only in 1955 was it possible to observe for the first time the transfer of sperm by a male using a spermatophore — a special protective capsule filled with seed and deposited on the ground. The first contact between partners appears to be purely accidental. The male moves towards the female and grabs her with his claws (pedipalps) by the nearest part of her body. Sometimes several males cling to one female and push each other away with their tails. Having barely touched the female, the male begins to move his claws until he mates with her. The partners move forward and backward, as if they were performing some kind of ceremonial ballroom dance, with their tails raised high, and the male leads the compliant female behind him. This “pas de deux” lasts several hours and sometimes several days. During this walk, the male's combs, located on the ventral side and serving as organs of touch, protrude and slide along the ground. In this way, the male scorpion finds out where the spermatophore can be deposited.

From time to time, the male steps on the female and “kisses” her in the full sense of the word, placing his chelicerae on top of her chelicerae. As soon as the spermatophore is deposited, the male simply drags it over this capsule. The capsule suddenly opens and the seed is ejected into the female's genital duct. The male immediately releases her, and she eats up the empty spermatophore. Sometimes the Scorpio woman manages to have dinner with her partner.

The gestation period ranges from several months to a year or more: scorpions are ovoviviparous animals. Having given birth, the female helps the hatching of the young by gnawing with chelicerae the shell of newly laid eggs, which are concentrated in the posterior part of her body. Usually from 5 to 100 (on average 20-50) whitish scorpions are born, and at first they climb onto the back of the mother, who protects them from enemies. They don't eat for eight days. After the first moult, the young begin to feed, but within a few weeks, in case of danger, they again climb onto the mother’s back. Young scorpions go through 7 molts, and by one to one and a half years they become sexually mature. Their color changes from time to time.

Although scorpions have acquired effective weapons, they have plenty of enemies. First of all, these are their direct relatives. Scorpion cannibalism is a natural phenomenon, and under unfavorable conditions they “without a twinge of conscience” eat the weakest. Then the enemies include the “distant relatives” of scorpions - spiders and salpugs. Further, they are eaten by some snakes and lizards, and there are also those that prefer scorpions. They are readily eaten by nocturnal birds, especially owls, as well as mammals - hedgehogs, shrews, bats and mongooses. Some monkeys, particularly baboons, pull out the poisonous sting and eat the whole scorpion. The famous hunter John Alexander Hunter, who followed these monkeys and more than once found countless severed stings on the rocks, called it “pure work.” Undoubtedly, the main enemy of Scorpio is man. To destroy scorpions, they mostly used insecticides, and once in one Indian village they organized a real hunt, and 15,000 scorpions were killed, where 13 thousand people lived. However, as it turned out, there were no fewer scorpions!

However, some species of scorpions are among the rare ones that are declining in numbers.

Scorpios in myths and legends

These arachnids are well known in the mythology of the Mediterranean and Western Asia since ancient times.

Scorpio is dedicated to one of the constellations with one of the brightest stars - Antares, as well as the sign of the Zodiac (from October 21 to November 20). According to legend, when the Persian god of light Mithras was about to kill the sacred bull for sacrifice, from whose blood all life was supposed to be born, the evil spirit Ahriman sent a scorpion to sting the bull in the testicles and thereby destroy this beneficial source.

Scorpions served as an indispensable attribute of all monuments to Mithra, whose worship continued until the 3rd century. n. e.; they are depicted on the tombs and monuments of Ancient Egypt; They are also mentioned in the papyri of the “country of the pyramids”, as well as in the Bible and the Talmud. In ancient Greek myths, a scorpion is a symbol of the hundred-headed fire-breathing monster Typhon, who was defeated by the thunderer Zeus. But the gods can also send a scorpion to the daring! Orion, a skilled giant hunter, was struck to death by a scorpion, which was chosen by the goddess Artemis as a “weapon of retribution” when Orion rejected her, choosing Eos, the goddess of the dawn.

Aristotle (384-322 BC), great philosopher and scientist Ancient Greece, teacher of Alexander the Great, wrote that in some countries scorpion stings are harmless, in others they inevitably bring death.

Ancient Roman scientist of the 1st century. Pliny the Elder claimed that scorpions emerge from rotting crocodiles or sea crayfish when the Sun passes through the Tropic of Cancer. Further, the ancient scientist wrote: “Scorpions are terrible creatures, poisonous, like snakes, with the difference that their bites entail even more painful torture, lasting for three days, after which the victim dies. At the same time, a scorpion’s bite is always fatal for girls and almost always for women, and for men only in the morning... The scorpion fumbles with its tail, never ceasing to swing it for a moment, so as not to miss the slightest opportunity to sting...”

Apart from the exaggerations and exaggerated “misogyny” allegedly characteristic of Scorpios, ancient scientists did not sin too much against the truth, as we have already seen.

The folklore of the Middle East is associated with the scorpion. In Arabic, scorpio is “akhreb.” An Arabic proverb says:

I will call the sting of the ridge poisonous and burning, only more poisonous than it burning tongue slanderer.

Scorpio appears in the recipes of medieval alchemists as a magical attribute that allows one to turn lead into gold.

One of the most popular legends about scorpions is associated with its “suicide”: if a scorpion finds itself in a ring of fire, it stings itself and dies. Of course, this is nothing more than nonsense - not a single living creature, excluding humans, is capable of avoiding hellish pain through self-destruction. And this instinct itself is disadvantageous to Nature. In addition, scorpions are for the most part not sensitive to their poison. Of course, frantically waving its tail, the scorpion will involuntarily stab itself every now and then, and then bake from the heat. This will be regarded as “suicide”. Sometimes his immobility is caused by prolonged dehydration. But as soon as you throw such a scorpion into the water, it comes to life. Sometimes a scorpion, surrounded by smoldering coals, freezes due to catalepsy (imaginary death). Scatter the coals, and the scorpion, if it is still alive, will come to its senses.

Scorpions in human hands

Overcoming fear and disgust, the man began to comprehensively study scorpions. They have been used in traditional medicine; fakirs and poisonous animal charmers demonstrated them as attributes of their power. In fact, in some places in the East such people fearlessly pick up scorpions with their bare hands, and they make no attempt to sting them. Moreover, there are castes or entire tribes that deftly handle dangerous animals. Such “secrets” are passed down from generation to generation. Researchers of poisonous animals are well aware of one of the Indian tribes - the Irula, whose representatives recently founded a cooperative for catching poisonous animals and delivering precious raw materials - poison. One of the objects to collect is the giant Indian scorpion that we mentioned. Similar sects exist in North and West Africa.

The author, having received a couple of bites, learned to do without tweezers and take scorpions with a pinch by the last segment of the tail, where the sting peeks out. However, this method should not be recommended: as we said, Scorpio is different from Scorpio. In the hands of an amateur, there may be risky inhabitants of the desert and tropics zones, outwardly no different from low-risk species.

Some Europeans successfully kept scorpions in captivity back in the thirties of the 19th century.

This is what Alfred Edmund Brehm, the creator of the famous “Life of Animals,” reported while traveling through northeast Africa in 1847-1852: “As an interesting fact in natural history, I also mention that the scorpion can be made tame to some extent. I saw a scorpion at Dr. Pay in Cairo that had been living in a glass box for over a year; he knew his master, took the flies given to him from his hands and ate them; it also seemed that he was no longer so timidly hiding from strangers as others do during the day.”

When imitating the habitat of a scorpion, it should be remembered that they can be roughly divided into hygrophilic (moisture-loving) and xerophilic (dry-loving). When kept in captivity, the habits of scorpions are distorted, and, as they say, “there is no more freedom-loving creature than a scorpion.” In captivity, they need a large area, a mass of shelters, a gradient of humidity and temperature both on the surface and in the thickness of the sand (this is easy to achieve with the help of drainage of the lower layers of soil), as well as periodic changes in illumination.

For moisture-loving tropical species, crushed tree bark or coconut shells, as well as humus for ornamental plants, are suitable as substrates. High humidity is absolutely necessary for shedding. If the scorpion’s cage is dry, then it cannot free itself from dead skin and dies.

Scorpions feed on small invertebrates, while larger species eat lizards and baby mice. Therefore, it would not hurt to start a “farm” of crickets, cockroaches and other laboratory insects that reproduce easily. The technique of their breeding, or zooculture, is described in detail in terrarium literature, mainly devoted to the breeding of amphibians and reptiles.

One of the common mistakes is that Scorpios supposedly don't drink. Indeed, scorpions get by on little and can live for a long time without food (up to 1.5 years). However, they readily drink water if they find it and if they are hungry, use moisture from the tissue fluid of their victims, and also drink dew.

Provide the scorpion with a flat saucer with a well-moistened sponge or cotton wool, and your pet will regularly visit the water. If scorpions find themselves in close quarters, in a limited space, they will fight to the death, so you will need a spacious cage. With good care, small species live up to 5 years; large ones are much larger.

Scorpions are kept not only for fun, but also for the purpose of industrial poisoning. Many types of raw materials are necessary for the production of anti-scorpion serums; they are used in medical and biological experiments.

Buying a Scorpio as pet, it is better to limit yourself, of course, to a species with low toxicity. Among these “peaceful” scorpions is “His Imperial Majesty” Pandinus. Terrarist Philip Purser from Georgia (USA) talks about its maintenance and breeding.

(Pandinus imperator)

Undoubtedly, anyone who works with arachnids and keeps them in captivity will easily recognize the “emperor of all scorpions” - Pandinus imperator. This is an unpretentious, although quite large creature - more than 20 cm in length! “Emperor” occupies the entire palm of a person. This invertebrate is somewhat reminiscent of a tank, clad in heavy armor, equipped with an impressive bulbous stinger and powerful claws. Despite its menacing appearance, its venom is relatively weak and is no more dangerous to humans than a bee sting. But the claws of a scorpion can pose a real threat. The massive pedipalps are equipped with strong muscles and can close with considerable force. On each claw back side a serrated edge extends, allowing the scorpion to crush and dismember its prey.

Native to the tropical regions of Central Africa, the imperial scorpion is a “hit item” in the pet trade!

He has earned a reputation as an unpretentious, durable and peaceful pet. It is not surprising that due to these properties, the scorpion is very often kept in the United States. However, despite its popularity, the biology of the imperial scorpion and its habits are little known to most hobbyists, which often leads to its incorrect keeping.

As we have already mentioned, scorpions are the oldest land animals. These creatures are resilient, allowing them to survive in a wide range of temperatures under the harshest conditions. It seemed that maintaining one species among these resilient invertebrates would not be difficult.

In fact, any reasonable cage or terrarium that provides effective ventilation will satisfy him (a 20-liter aquarium with a mesh lid will do). However, not all hobbyists clearly realize that strong air currents, saturated with oxygen in all layers, are vital for the survival of the imperial scorpion. Putrefactive biological material, such as: feces, insect remains and organic substrate release carbon dioxide into the air, which quickly precipitates indoors.

Stagnant air carbon dioxide is heavier than oxygen; it displaces this life-giving gas, penetrating into circulatory system animal, and then leads to slow but inevitable death. Most of the losses of scorpions are due to inept, amateurish care, and the obvious reason for this is stagnation of carbon dioxide. This can be avoided by removing and cleaning the scorpion cage frequently and equipping it with a well-ventilated wire mesh cover or plastic mesh with holes.

Since the scorpion lives primarily in the forest, temperature and humidity are key factors for its successful keeping. The daytime temperature should not exceed +30° C, and at night drop below +25° C. Lighting is not required, since most scorpions and, in particular, the imperial scorpion, are nocturnal animals. Therefore, it is better to equip a heating source under the cage using thermoplastics or a ceramic emitter. Heavy morning dew and frequent downpours are common in scorpion habitats, resulting in high relative humidity. Consider all of these factors when setting up a scorpion enclosure in captivity. Sand, tuff and other components of arid habitats, convenient for most arachnids, are not suitable here - you need a substrate that absorbs moisture for a long time and well. Peat, sphagnum moss and soil for tropical ornamental plants, sold in flower shops, successfully serve for the long-term establishment of the imperial scorpion. You can use moderately moist vermiculite or potting soil; these two types of substrate will allow the scorpion to make its own burrow. Relative humidity is created by light daily misting using a handheld spray bottle. Make sure that the scorpion's terrarium habitat is not over-watered, so that puddles do not appear and mold or mildew does not grow. It is necessary that all moisture evaporates before you start spraying.

Shelters play a vital role in the “psychological” well-being of the imperial scorpion. This animal is exclusively nocturnal; It spends its days underground or hiding on the forest floor, and therefore requires suitable hiding places to thrive in captivity. Shelters can be pieces of tree bark, hollows, or a flower pot cut lengthwise. Unlike other scorpions, “emperors” are social creatures. However, they should be kept in pairs or small colonies, and each individual should have its own shelter. The ability to hide from bright light and other factors will allow Scorpio to get rid of stress.

All scorpions are predators, but if they fast for a long time, they do not disdain carrion. To feed, they crawl out of their hiding places at dusk. In nature, the "emperor" eats a variety of food items, including crickets, cockroaches, beetles, caterpillars, spiders, worms, small lizards and young rodents. Unlike many arachnids, which require specific food items, the emperor scorpion eats actively, absorbing almost everything. Mealworms; wax moth larvae and small earthworms,

in addition to crickets, they are mostly devoured. It is convenient to feed them by placing them in a box or plastic tube. It is better to feed the worms in this way so that they do not burrow into the substrate. The deep plate serves so that the scorpion can go down and get out, and the victims cannot crawl away. Some hobbyists prefer to hand feed the scorpion: this method is simple and effective. Lightly crumble the food with two fingers and carefully place a pinch on the scorpion. If the scorpion is hungry, it moves its chelicerae, chewing food, and will literally suck the crumbled insect from its fingers. If you prefer to feed your scorpion with crickets, then introduce them into the cage little by little: 5-8 pieces at a time. At the same time, you will establish how much was eaten, and the crickets will not overwhelm the scorpion. The “Emperor” can get very scared if a whole crowd of crickets starts jumping wildly and rushing around the cage. Of course, if your scorpion is large in size, feed it pink or furry mice from time to time. However, you should not feed rodents constantly. Give him one and then the other as dessert.

Offering your pet any food item with innards rich in nutrients and vitamins is welcome. Offer it pre-slaughtered mammals: it is inhumane to feed a scorpion a live mouse.

Since water is essential for a scorpion, most hobbyists use a spray bottle to spray ornamental plants. Several sprays a day are sufficient, carefully irrigating the entire animal itself to simulate light rain, which is satisfactory for the scorpion’s well-being in order to avoid dehydration. It is better to use a low drinking bowl filled with fresh, clean water.

During night walks, the scorpion will crawl along the saucer several times, sometimes stopping to drink or dive completely. Whatever method you use, the emperor scorpion must receive water in any form daily to survive.

If you dream of getting offspring from “emperors,” then this is quite possible. First of all, you will need a sexually mature pair. To distinguish an adult male from a female, several individuals will have to be compared: males are smaller, and they have a longer, narrow tail. More reliable way gender determination for “emperors” and other scorpions is based on their combs. The combs, which actually look like a comb, are located on the ventral side of the animal and play the role, as we have already mentioned, of chemical sense organs. Males have larger combs and longer teeth. If you are still in doubt about the gender of a given individual, it does not hurt to listen to the advice of an experienced specialist.

Because this species lives near the equator, it breeds regardless of the season, and breeding takes place all year round, but is stimulated by prolonged heavy rainfall. Therefore, a two-week period of sharp increase in humidity is the key to successful breeding in captivity. After two weeks, you can expect that each individual is “in good condition”, and you can connect a happy couple. Many people let the male in to the female, and not vice versa, since in natural conditions the male scorpion leaves his hole and wanders in search of females. If you did everything right and are lucky, Scorpios will begin to mate within a few days of meeting you.

The actual act of copulation is preceded by elaborate and impressive mating behavior. The male approaches the female from the front and swings his claws, as if twitching them, like a wind-up. Sometimes he twitches his whole body up and down, raising his tail high. If the female is interested in his demonstrations, she raises her claws in greeting, and they “merge in ecstasy”, characteristic of arachnids. Having grabbed its claws, the male lays a small whitish ball directly on the substrate. This is the spermatophore. Before this, the male clears the area of ​​debris and levels it. He then guides the female over the ball, and his role in the courtship process is complete. The female captures the spermatophore and stores it in the genital tract. The partners are separated and are now left to their own devices.

Only very rare observers can see this ancient ritual, since animals prefer to perform it in the dead of night. If the female is fertilized, it is better to keep her separately. By the end of this period, she becomes noticeably fatter. Tiny scorpions are clearly visible through the walls of the abdomen in the form of a whitish mass. A few more days pass, and one day you may see a female in the cage with a dozen tiny, white babies, called “nymphs.” Unlike most arachnids, the female imperial scorpion is a caring mother, devoting time to each of her offspring, trying to feed them in turn. Whatever the food items are, she kills them and delivers the pieces on her claws and chelicerae, and then offers food to the nymphs. She needs to make sure everyone is fed before she starts eating herself. Because nymphs depend on their mother for food and drink (daily misting is especially important in the early stages of their lives), mother and offspring should not be separated until they are adults.

The female carries the nymphs on her back until they acquire the coloration of adults and grow larger before they begin to feed on their own. As soon as they leave the mother and begin to crawl on the substrate, they should be separated and kept individually.

Young scorpions need to be fed as soon as they become hungry to ensure optimal growth and eventual size.

It seemed that catching them was an inexhaustible source of supply, but the emperor scorpion is now listed in Appendix II of CITES, an international government convention on endangered species. According to the Appendix II classification, the emperor scorpion is not directly endangered, but may become so if its trade is not strictly regulated. It follows that “emperors” caught in the wild will steadily disappear from pet stores, and will be replaced by individuals bred in captivity (which is much more environmentally justifiable). In addition, some relatives of the imperial scorpion are still being imported, and in large quantities to meet demand. These include Asian and African species, and some are incorrectly identified as "imperial". However, none of these species is as unpretentious and peaceful as the real “emperor”. This scorpio best choice for the novice invertebrate lover. At good conditions this long-lived animal can live for ten years, or even more. Its frightening appearance, peacefulness and tolerable “prick” create the amazing effect of a poisonous, but manageable pet.

Caring for scorpions at home.
Scorpions should be kept in a desert-like environment. For four scorpions, glass cages should be 30 x 60 x 30 cm in size. At the bottom there should be a sloping layer of wet sand and stones to provide shelter. Keep at 26 "C. Cleanliness is important. Feed with live insects and place a small container with wet cotton wool for drinking. Move scorpions by driving them into boxes with brushes with long handles. Do not pick them up with your hands. Reproduction of scorpions is interesting because the mother takes care of the offspring Approximately 10 fat white cubs are born, which stay on the mother’s back for about two weeks. The female continues to feed them for almost two months.

Venom is one of the most common types of attack or defense in the animal kingdom, and probably everyone has heard about the venom of scorpions. True, scorpions are not as terrible as they are said to be: out of 1,750 species of scorpions, the poison of about 50 poses a threat to humans. Which scorpions are the most dangerous?

One of the signs by which you can distinguish a poisonous scorpion is to compare the size of the claws and tail. In poisonous ones, the sting will be much more noticeable compared to the relatively small claws, and vice versa. True, not every person has the patience to compare the sizes of claws and tails when looking at some of the arthropods presented in the rating.

Parabuthus transvaalicus belongs to the genus of African desert scorpions. The scorpion uses its huge black tail to spray poison over a distance of up to a meter. Although the poison is not fatal, if it gets into the eyes it causes burning pain and blindness, sometimes permanent.



Uroplectes lineatus, from the family of small fat-tailed scorpions of south-eastern Africa. First of all, he is known for his impressive appearance. Its bites are extremely painful and can cause symptoms of fever, but often resolve without serious consequences.

Buthus occitanus, nicknamed the common yellow scorpion. It is found in the Middle East, Africa, and partly in Europe. Unlike most scorpions, it is a vegetarian and feeds on leaves and tree bark. It rarely stings people, but when it does, its venom can cause breathing difficulties, vomiting and dizziness.

Heterometrus swammerdami, a subspecies of the Asian forest scorpion. Its venom is very weak (inversely proportional to the strength of its claws). On the other hand, it is the largest scorpion in the world, measuring up to 23 cm! If you are stung by such a monster, you will not die, but you will remember it for the rest of your life.

Centruroides vittatus, the striped tree scorpion, is one of the most common arachnids in the southern United States and northern Mexico. They usually live under the bark of trees, but also happily inhabit wooden houses. Their bite does not particularly harm healthy adults, but can be fatal for children and the elderly.

Tityus serrulatus, the most dangerous scorpion in Brazil, characterized by aggressive behavior and highly toxic poison. It is also famous for its parthenogenetic method of reproduction, in which only females are involved.

Androctonus crassicauda - "Arabian fat-tailed scorpion", native to Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey. Its name speaks for itself, because the word “androctonus” translates as “killer of people.” The venom of the Arabian fat-tailed scorpion contains powerful neurotoxins and poses a mortal threat to the person stung.

Androctonus australis, known as the "yellow fat-tailed scorpion", is another member of the genus Androctonus. Found in northern Africa and southern Asia, it is known for its extraordinary endurance - it can withstand sandstorms that damage even concrete and steel buildings. Extremely poisonous, its bite kills a person within a few hours unless immediate medical attention is provided.

Hottentotta Tamulus, the "Indian red scorpion", is a thunderstorm in rural India and Nepal. Like other tree scorpions, it usually finds refuge under the bark of trees. Its neurotoxic venom kills between 8 and 40% of its victims, mostly children.

Leiurus quinquestriatus, also known as the yellow scorpion, the Israeli scorpion and the “crouching killer” is one of the most poisonous scorpions on the planet, living in North Africa, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The lethality of the poison depends on the portion - a small dose will cause terrible pain, a large dose is guaranteed to kill even a healthy adult.