![]() ![]() The first thing which drew my attention was the movement of the pectines – the primary chemosensory organs of scorpions, which are paired, ventromedial appendages that brush the substrate as the scorpion walks. I recall my first encounter with a scorpion. Thick-tailed scorpion ( Parabuthus laevifrons) © Armin du Preez Their beauty and uniqueness set them apart from any other animal I have encountered. One of the most mesmerising things to observe is when they eat and how the chelicerae work together as a pair of appendages by prising the prey apart to consume it. You will find yourself wondering how such a weird looking animal can be so well adapted to its environment. The best part is to see how they manage to fit under tight rocks and skilfully disappear, leaving you in awe. It is something to see when they are running away to safety, the way all eight legs work together, the tail in the air (and sometimes the tail is completely stretched out). A male burrowing scorpion ( Opistophthalmus austerus) © Armin du Preez ![]() ![]() In some cases, they may drag the telson (sting) over the body segments (tergites) to produce a sudden scraping sound in an attempt to frighten off a predator. I find scorpions extremely fascinating during self-defence, they stridulate by rubbing their chelicerae (mouthparts) together to produce a hissing sound. We have much to learn from them already, there are biochemical secrets held in their venom from which mankind can benefit. Scorpions have always held our fascination, and interestingly, one of earliest occurrences of the scorpion in culture is its inclusion as Scorpio, in the zodiac – the 12 signs of the series of constellations by Babylonian astronomers during the Chaldean period.Īlthough venomous and fearsome in appearance, if treated with respect, scorpions are highly unlikely to pose any threat since they always attempt to escape when encountered. Today, scorpions are found on all major landmasses except Antarctica. Millipedes, centipedes and the earliest arachnids first appear in the Silurian, and since arachnids (ticks, spiders, harvestmen, tailless whip-scorpions, short-tailed whip-scorpions, whip-scorpions, pseudo-scorpions, wind-scorpions and scorpions) are exclusively predatory, this represents the first terrestrial food web on Earth! A male intermediate creeper scorpion ( Chelotonus intermedius) © Armin du Preez This paved the way for terrestrial animals and the first known air-breathing animals: the Arthropods (animals with jointed legs). Lichens were followed by Bryophytes (moss, hornworts and liverworts) and Cooksonia, the first vascular plant with an upright stalk. A warm, stable climate provided for one of the most significant developments to take place during the Silurian Period: the arrival of the first plants on land. During this Period, continental landmasses were low, and sea levels were rising. They have been around for millions of years the oldest known fossil dates back to about 430 million years ago during the Silurian Period. Scorpions may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but they deserve our respect. Written, and photographs, by Armin du Preez – Director of Africa Scorpion Research Up close of the chelicerae (mouthparts) of a pugnacious burrowing scorpion ( Opistophthalmus pugnax) © Armin du Preez ![]()
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