A to Z of Pests

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.