Scorpions

1.

2.

3.

scorpion – скорпион
[ˈskɔːpɪən]
fat-tailed scorpion -
[fæt-teɪld ˈskɔːpɪən]
толстохвостый скорпион
bark scorpion –
полосатый древесный
скорпион
[bɑːk ˈskɔːpɪən]

4.

speckled bush scorpion
[spekld bʊʃ ˈskɔːpɪən]
– крапчатый скорпион
small wood scorpion -
[smɔːl wʊd ˈskɔːpɪən]
маленький древесный
скорпион
burrowing scorpion –
блестящий роющий
скорпион
[ˈbʌrəʊɪŋ ˈskɔːpɪən]

5.

tricolored scorpion –
[ˈtrɪkʌlərɪd ˈskɔːpɪən]
трехцветный скорпион
hissing scorpion -
[ˈhɪsɪŋ ˈskɔːpɪən]
шипящий скорпион
forest scorpion – лесной
скорпион
[ˈfɒrɪst ˈskɔːpɪən]

6.

SCORPION

7.

Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily
recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a
characteristic forward curve over the back and always ending with a stinger. The evolutionary
history of scorpions goes back 435 million years. They mainly live in deserts but have adapted
to a wide range of environmental conditions, and can be found on all continents except
Antarctica. There are over 2,500 described species, with 22 extant (living) families recognized to
date. Their taxonomy is being revised to account for 21st-century genomic studies.
Scorpions primarily prey on insects and other invertebrates, but some species take vertebrates.
They use their pincers to restrain and kill prey. Scorpions themselves are preyed on by larger
animals. The venomous sting can be used both for killing prey and for defense. During
courtship, the male and female scorpion grasp each other's pincers and move around in a
"dance" where the male tries to maneuver the female onto his deposited sperm packet. Most
species give live birth and the female cares for the young as their exoskeletons harden,
transporting them on her back. The exoskeleton contains fluorescent chemicals and glows under
ultraviolet light.
The vast majority of species do not represent a serious threat to humans, and healthy adults
usually do not need medical treatment after being stung. Only about 25 species have venom
capable of killing a human. In some parts of the world with highly venomous species, human
fatalities regularly occur, primarily in areas with limited access to medical treatment. Scorpions
with their powerful stingers appear in art, folklore, mythology, and commercial brands.
Scorpion motifs are woven into kilim carpets for protection from their sting. Scorpius is the
name of a constellation, and the corresponding astrological sign is Scorpio; a classical myth tells
how the giant scorpion and its enemy, Orion, became constellations on opposite sides of the
sky.

8.

FAT-TAILED SCORPION

9.

Fattail scorpion or fat-tailed scorpion is the common name given to scorpions of the genus
Androctonus, one of the most dangerous groups of scorpions species in the world. They are
found throughout the semi-arid and arid regions of the Middle East and Africa. They are a
moderate sized scorpion, attaining lengths of 10 cm. Their common name is derived from their
distinctly fat metasoma, or tail, while the Latin name originates from Greek and means "man
killer". Their venom contains powerful neurotoxins and is especially potent. Stings from
Androctonus species are known to cause several human deaths each year. Several
pharmaceutical companies manufacture an antivenom for treatment of Androctonus
envenomations.
Androctonus is widespread in North and West Africa, the Middle East and eastwards to the
Hindukush region. Countries where Androctonus species live include: Armenia, Morocco,
Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Togo, Palestine, Israel, India, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi
Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Bahrain
and Pakistan.

10.

BARK SCORPION

11.

The Arizona bark scorpion is a small light brown scorpion common to the Sonoran Desert in the
southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. An adult male can reach 8 cm in length,
while a female is slightly smaller, with a maximum length of 7 cm.
Arizona bark scorpions have a gestation period of several months, are born live, and are gently
guided onto their mother's back. The female usually gives birth to anywhere from 25 to 35
young. These remain with their mother until their first molt, which can be up to 3 weeks after
birth. Arizona bark scorpions have a life expectancy of about 6 years.
Arizona bark scorpions, like most other scorpions, are incredibly resilient. During US nuclear
testing, scorpions, along with cockroaches and lizards, were found near ground zero with no
recorded adverse effects.
The Arizona bark scorpion is nocturnal, and particularly well adapted to the desert: layers of
wax on its exoskeleton make it resistant to water loss. Nevertheless, Arizona bark scorpions hide
during the heat of the day, typically under rocks, wood piles, or tree bark. Arizona bark
scorpions do not burrow, and are commonly found in homes, requiring only 1/16 of an inch for
entry. Arizona bark scorpions prefer riparian areas with mesquite, cottonwood, and sycamore
groves, all of which have sufficient moisture and humidity to support insects and other prey
species. The popularity of irrigated lawns, and other systems which increase environmental
humidity in residential areas, has led to a massive increase in the number of these animals in
some areas.
Centruroides scorpions are unusual in that they are the only genus in the Southwest that can
climb walls, trees, and other objects with a sufficiently rough surface. Arizona bark scorpions
practice negative geotaxis, preferring an upside down orientation, which often results in people
being stung due to the scorpion being on the underside of an object.

12.

SPECKLED BUSH SCORPION

13.

SMALL WOOD SCORPION

14.

Euscorpius is a genus of scorpions, commonly called small wood-scorpions. It presently
contains 17 species and is the type genus of the family Euscorpiidae - long included in the
Chactidae - and the subfamily Euscorpiinae.
This group is widespread from North Africa and Spain to temperate Eurasia from England and
northern France through the Czech Republic to Russia.
The species range in colour from yellow-brown to dark brown. Many are brown with yellow
legs and stinger. The largest is E. italicus at 5 cm, and the smallest is E. germanus at 1.5 cm. The
venom of Euscorpius species is generally very weak, with effects similar to a mosquito bite.
Some smaller specimens may not even be able to puncture the human skin with their stings.

15.

BURROWING SCORPION

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Opistophthalmus is a genus of scorpions known commonly as burrowing scorpions, tricolored
scorpions, serkets, or hissing scorpions. They are found predominantly in southern Africa. They
are known for making deep and elaborate burrows.
Opistophthalmus scorpions are typically heavily built for scorpions, and have broad, powerful
claws (chelae). They vary in color from yellow through brown to black, usually with darker or
lighter areas. The leg color is typically much lighter than the rest of the body.

17.

TRICOLORED SCORPION

18.

HISSING SCORPION

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FOREST SCORPION

20.

Cercophonius squama, commonly known as the forest scorpion or wood scorpion, is a scorpion
native to southeastern Australia. It is typically around 25–40 mm long. Its colour consists of
different shades of brown.
The body is creamy yellow to orange brown with dark brown variegations. The legs are yellow
with some dark brown pigment.
Insemination occurs before winter and birth typically occurs during summer. Females give birth
to 20-30 live young over a period of several hours. The young are white and soft-bodied at birth.
Females have been observed selectively eating some of the young but the trigger is not known.
It takes approximately two weeks for the exoskeleton to completely form for newborns.