Emperor Scorpion

Emperor Scorpion

"Sting"
Emperor Scorpion

CLASSIFICATION

Scorpions are arthropods distinguished by such striking features as large pedipalps furnished with stout claws, and an abdomen divided into two portions--a broad, seven-segmented preabdomen, and a five-segmented posterior with a slender tail ending in a sting.

Other characteristics include jointed legs, bilateral symmetry growth by molting the presence of specialized cuticular sense organs blood filled spaces in the body, a greatly reduced body cavity, a flat and narrow body, two lobsterlike claws, eight legs, and a segmented abdominal tail.

Range
The scorpion is found in warm and dry tropical regions, including Africa, South America, India, the southwestern United States, and other continents of the like.

Habitat
The scorpion is a forest dweller and likes to form burrows. Its only niche is that it must be in a warm sub-tropical or tropical like environment. It's most important adaptation is the stinger at the end of its tail. However, few scorpions are dangerous to humans, and ordinarily they do not attack unless disturbed. For the most part, the sting of a scorpion only causes pain and swelling, and can be cured after some shots. The tail is segmented so that it can reach out and strike quicker without moving its whole body.

Diet
Scorpions are predatory carnivores, so they feed on insects (such as millipedes) and spiders. They capture their food with the claws and then kill it with the sting of their tail. Baby scorpions often start out on small crickets or already dead mice. The scorpion can fast for weeks without causing detrimental effect. In captivity, the scorpion will feed mainly on crickets, mealworms, and pre-killed mice.

Gestation
The scorpion reaches sexual maturity in 6 to 7 months (3.5-7 years). When mating, scorpions will perform an interesting courtship dance called "promenade-a-deux." The male will grasp the females pedipalps with his own. He then leads her to a site suitable to deposit his spermatophore. This done, he precedes to pull her over the site where she will lower herself and transfer the sperm through her genital opening. A few months later as birth nears, whitish masses will appear under the intersegmental membrane. Soon after birth, the young will collect themselves on the mother's back where they will stay without feeding until their first molt. They will then scatter for feeding, at which time there is a high chance of cannibalism by the other young or the mother. Unlike most scorpion species, Emperor scorpion mothers actually perform some care for their young. They will catch and crush crickets which they will leave for the young who will gather around for a communal feed. Young scorpions will often die during molting. Emperor scorpions have a better survival rate for the very young, but they make up for it with a high molting mortality for older offspring. In the wild, the mother-young relationship can last from several months to years with the young remaining in the family group as adults.
Longevity
The life expectancy for the scorpion is between 5 and 8 years.
Bibliography
Arachnomania- The General Care and Maintenance of Tarantulas and Scorpions, by Philippe de Vosjoli, 1991, Advanced Vivarium Systems.

Cloudsley-Thompson, J. L., Spiders, Scorpions, Centipedes, and Mites, 2d ed. (1968)

Golden Guide Spiders and their Kin, by Levi and Levi, 1990, Golden Press.

Integrated Principles of Zoology, Hickman, Hickman and Hickman, 5th ed,1974, C.V. Mosby Company.

Kaestner, Alfred, Invertebrate Zoology, Vol II: Arthropod Relatives, Chelicerata, Myriapoda, trans. by H. W. and L. R. Levi (1968) Savory, T. H., Arachnida, 2d ed. (1977).

Savory, T. H., Arachnida, 2d ed. (1977).