Scorpions frighten many people because of their fearsome appearance and poisonous sting, but some keep them at home as a pet.

In this report, the Russian "Top Cafe" website reviews a number of interesting facts about this animal, which is one of the oldest creatures on the planet.

ancestors of scorpions

The ancestors of scorpions appeared on Earth about 400 million years ago, and they lived in the water, and they were classified as crustaceans, and they were called sea scorpions. Researchers have found fossil footprints of the ancestors of modern scorpions in large numbers in Europe and Asia.

Etymology

The modern name for scorpions is derived from the ancient Greek word scorpios.

In Russia, this name refers to a snake.

Pharaonic deities "Serket"

Scorpions were known in ancient Egypt, and some pharaonic drawings show the goddess "Serket" (the scorpion goddess), a female whose head is topped by a scorpion with her tail facing upwards.

More than 1700 species

Despite its insect-like outward appearance, scorpions belong to the class of arachnids, and scorpions have 4 pairs of legs, and the two front ends form pincers that catch their prey, and this is one of the most prominent similarities between them and the spider.

Scientists count more than 1,700 species of scorpions living in all continents of the world except Antarctica.

Scientists count more than 1,700 species of scorpions living in all continents of the world except Antarctica (Shutterstock)

on the mother's back

Baby scorpions spend the first week after birth on their mother's back to survive, due to the mother's body's ability to control the level of moisture.

After changing their skin for the first time, the baby scorpions leave the mother's back to live independently.

the size

The imperial scorpion - which reaches 20 centimeters in length - is the largest species of scorpion, while the length of the smallest scorpion does not exceed 9 millimeters. 

reproduction

Scorpions have a special ritual when mating, where the male walks with the female, and takes care of her for several hours, before he takes out his sperm purse, which the female receives in the lower abdomen. After mating, the female devours the male if he does not find an opportunity to escape.

6 to 12 eyes

Scorpions have a well-developed sense of sight, and the number of their eyes, depending on the species, ranges from 6 to 12 eyes.

Do scorpions drink water?

This animal, which lives mostly in the desert and among the rocks, spends most of its life alone, and can live two years without food.

It is not true that scorpions do not drink water as many believe, but they do drink in small quantities.

glow

During the moulting process, some species of scorpions can glow in the dark, and scorpions generally glow under ultraviolet light.

Scientists did not know the exact cause of this phenomenon.

movement speed

Scorpions move so fast that it is difficult to photograph them in motion.

Scientists discovered that some species of scorpions can move at speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour.

The most dangerous species of scorpion is known as the Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (Shutterstock)

Between Europe and Africa

Most species of scorpions that live in Europe are of small size, which does not exceed 4 centimeters in length.

In Africa, specifically in the north of the continent, we find one of the most dangerous types of scorpions, which is known as the Arabian fat-tailed scorpion.

food

Scorpions feed on insects, cockroaches, rodents, lizards, and in some cases, scorpions eat human flesh.

Many keep scorpions indoors, and this requires a lot of caution due to their aggressive behavior and toxicity (French)


Scorpion venom


Despite their painful sting, not all species of scorpion are poisonous.

The yellow Palestine scorpion, which lives in the Middle East and North Africa, is the most venomous of all scorpions.

scorpion breeding

Because scorpions do not require much care, many keep them indoors in small basins of water, especially the yellow Palestine scorpion, but keeping a scorpion of this type requires a lot of caution because of its aggressive behavior and toxicity.