When you think old, you think dinosaurs. But zoologists believe that scorpions came into existence before dinosaurs, and have been around for more than 400 million years! Considering the amount of time they’ve had to evolve, there must be hundreds of species of scorpions around, right? Let’s find out more about them…
Did you know
The cuticle of scorpions has a substance called hyaline, which remains intact in fossil form for millions of years? It even fluoresces in the fossil form! So, not only will scorpions glow in ultraviolet light, so will their fossils!
One question that many of us have had at some point is, “Are scorpions insects?”. The answer is NO, scorpions are not insects, they are arthropods. Populating every continent except Antarctica, scorpions are rugged creatures, belonging to the class of animals known as arachnids. They vary in color and size. Some common colors observed are black, brown, blue, yellow, green and red. While some scorpions are as small as 12 – 14 mm, the largest have lengths of around 24 – 26 cms. Scorpions are very hardy creatures and have managed to survive in almost all climates. Their range varies from deserts, to rainforests, to snowy mountainous regions, as well as arid and lush regions. Their adaptability and survival mechanisms are par excellence.
Scorpions have a few characteristic features which lend them a menacing quality. First, their exaggerated pincers. Second, their stinger and venom. While addressing these concerns, we need to be aware of facts. In the case of pincers, bigger does not always mean more dangerous. In fact, it is the opposite. When a scorpion has a very potent type of venom, it does not need huge pincers, and vice-versa. This is because, the main reason scorpions have venom is for taking care of their dietary needs, not for stinging people. Huge pincers help them in crushing their prey and thus minimizing the need for venom, whereas tiny/slim pincers mean they cannot crush their prey and have to rely on venom to kill it. While all scorpions are venomous, out of the approximately 2000 species, only around 30 species have venom that can prove fatal to humans. Most of the scorpion bites will cause localized reactions, which are extremely painful but will subside gradually. That said, since we cannot always tell the species that has bitten us, it is best to seek immediate medical assistance.
Coming to the number of species of scorpions, estimates range anywhere between 1700 to over 2000. The research on scorpions is ongoing but rather difficult since they happen to be pretty reclusive creatures. They are solitary beings and mostly nocturnal making them almost elusive. Documentation is still in nascent stages about their families and orders. This article offers insight into the classification and types that have been documented so far…
Taxonomical Classification
The revised taxonomical classification of scorpions includes 13 families.
Family Buthidae
This family of medium-sized scorpions is the largest as well as the oldest among all, with more than 800 species. The members of this family usually have fat tails, thin pincers, and potent venom which can be lethal to humans. They are usually found in the warmer regions of the world.
Examples : Fat-tailed Scorpion, Bark Scorpions, Death-stalker Scorpion
Family Pseudochactidae
While Buthidae is one of the oldest families of scorpions, Pseudochactidae is the newest addition. So far, only 3 specimens have been found belonging to this family. This family is loosely related to the Buthidae and Chaerilidae families.
Family Microcharmidae
This is a family of small scorpions. Adults will grow to a maximum size of 20mm. The members of this family were part of the Family Buthidae, but it was later decided to give them their own distinct family. According to the latest developments, this family was again made synonymous with Family Buthidae as of 2008.
Family Chaerilidae
A small family whose members prefer humid climates, it has just over 40 species. They are spread over South and South-east Asia, and are not of medical significance. Latest developments and research indicate that members of this family do not exhibit fluorescence under black light. This is in direct contrast to what was one of the defining characteristics of scorpions!
Family Chactidae
With members being added and reassigned to and from other families, this family is one of the most transigent. Its members are not medically significant and are distributed throughout North, Central and South America.
Family Euscorpiidae
This is a widespread family of small wood scorpions with the least toxic venom. They are found all over North, Central and South America, many parts of Asia and Europe, as well as Africa. Recent developments show that the species in this family are being reexamined by scientists, which could be a harbinger to major taxonomic changes.
Family Scorpionidae
This is a large family of over 250 species, and houses some of the largest scorpions. Species of this family usually display large and powerful pincers, and the venom of most is not very harmful (but there are a couple of exceptions). Also, members of this family are popular as pets, especially the Emperor Scorpion, which is also one of the largest scorpion in the world. Members of this species are found in all continents except Antarctica and New Zealand.
Examples : Emperor Scorpion
Family Vaejovidae
This family of over 180 species is endemic to U.S.A and Mexico. Their stings can be extremely painful but not fatal to humans. Members of this species have conformed to arid and cold habitats, and some have been discovered to inhabit caves. They usually have 3 sets of lateral eyes.
Family Caraboctonidae
This is a small family of a little over 20 species, whose bite is reported to be painful, but no reports of fatalities have been registered. They do have medical significance and occur mainly in North and South America.
Family Bothriuridae
A large family of around 150 species, members are characterized by a broad body. Their venom is pretty strong and bites can be excruciatingly painful. Their venom may affect the cardiovascular system. Although they seem to prefer semitropical habitats, one genus has been discovered inhabiting the Himalayas. They are found in Asia, Africa, S. America and Australia.
Family Hemiscorpiidae
A family of over 70 species, they are characterized by their broad, flat bodies and slender tails. They prefer semitropical climates, and are concentrated populations are found in Africa. Some species have gained popularity as pets. One of the species belonging to this family (Hemiscorpius lepturus) has a lethal poison and has caused fatalities.
Family Iuridae
A small family of around 13 species, the members of the family are rare, and hence documentation is minimum.
Family Superstitioniidae
This is a family of only 1 species, which inhabit N. America. Studies on this species are minimal.
General Classification
Classification of scorpions is also done based solely on their habitat and other characteristics, for the purpose of convenience. Some of the general categories scorpions are clubbed under are as follows:
- Sand Scorpions
- Albino Scorpions
- Garden Scorpions
- Desert Scorpions
- Forest Scorpions
- Rock Scorpions
- Fattail Scorpions
- Bark Scorpions
- Striped Scorpions
- Deathstalker/Gold Scorpions
List of Scorpion Species
Given below is a list of scorpion species. It is by no means an exhaustive list, as research is ongoing, and new species are discovered and documented on a frequent basis, but it does cover most of the ones already ascertained.
A
Afghanobuthus naumanni
Afroisometrus minshullae
Akentrobuthus leleupi
Akrav israchanani
Alacran tartarus
Alayotityus delacruzi
Alayotityus feti
Alayotityus granma
Alayotityus juraguaensis
Alayotityus lapidicola
Alayotityus nanus
Alayotityus pallidus
Alayotityus sierramaestrae
Ananteris ashmolei
Ananteris asuncionensis
Ananteris balzanii
Ananteris barinensis
Ananteris cachimboensis
Ananteris capayaensis
Ananteris caracensis
Ananteris catuaroi
Ananteris caucaguitensis
Ananteris charlescorfieldi
Ananteris chirimakei
Ananteris claviformis
Ananteris coinaui
Ananteris coineaui
Ananteris columbiana
Ananteris cryptozoicus
Ananteris cumbensis
Ananteris curariensis
Ananteris cussinii
Ananteris dekeyseri
Ananteris deniseae
Ananteris diegorojasi
Ananteris ehrlichi
Ananteris elguapoi
Ananteris elisabethae
Ananteris evellynae
Ananteris feae
Ananteris festae
Ananteris franckei
Ananteris gorgonae
Ananteris guiripaensis
Ananteris guyanensis
Ananteris hasshy
Ananteris inoae
Ananteris leilae
Ananteris luciae
Ananteris maniapurensis
Ananteris maranhensis
Ananteris mariaelenae
Ananteris mariaterezae
Ananteris mauryi
Ananteris meridana
Ananteris myriamae
Ananteris nairae
Ananteris norae
Ananteris paoensis
Ananteris paracotoensis
Ananteris plataensis
Ananteris platnicki
Ananteris principalis
Ananteris pydanieli
Ananteris riocaurensis
Ananteris riochicoi
Ananteris sabinae
Ananteris sabineae
Ananteris sanchezi
Ananteris sepulvedai
Ananteris singularis
Ananteris terueli
Ananteris tolimana
Ananteris turumbanensis
Ananteris venezuelensis
Ananteris zuliana
Androctonus afghanus
Androctonus aleksandrplotkini
Androctonus amoreuxi
Androctonus australis
Androctonus baluchicus
Androctonus bicolor
Androctonus crassicauda
Androctonus dekeyseri
Androctonus finitimus
Androctonus gonneti
Androctonus hoggarensis
Androctonus liouvillei
Androctonus maelfaiti
Androctonus mauritanicus
Androctonus sergenti
Anomalobuthus rickmersi
Anuroctonus phaiodactylus
Anuroctonus pococki
Apistobuthus pterygocercus
Apistobuthus susanae
Australobuthus xerolimniorum
B
Babycurus ansorgei
Babycurus buettneri
Babycurus centrurimorphus
Babycurus crassicaudatus
Babycurus crassimanus
Babycurus exquisitus
Babycurus gigas
Babycurus jacksoni
Babycurus johnstonii
Babycurus kirki
Babycurus melanicus
Babycurus multisubaculeatus
Babycurus neglectus
Babycurus ornatus
Babycurus patrizii
Babycurus pictus
Babycurus solegladi
Babycurus somalicus
Babycurus subpunctatus
Babycurus taramassoi
Babycurus ugartei
Babycurus wituensis
Babycurus zambonellii
Baloorthochirus becvari
Bioculus caboensis
Bioculus cerralvensis
Bioculus comondae
Bioculus cruzensis
Bioculus parvulus
Birulatus astartiae
Birulatus haasi
Birulatus israelensis
Bothriurus araguayae
Bothriurus asper
Bothriurus bertae
Bothriurus bocki
Bothriurus bonariensis
Bothriurus buecherli
Bothriurus burmeisteri
Bothriurus ceii
Bothriurus cerradoensis
Bothriurus chacoensis
Bothriurus chilensis
Bothriurus cordubensis
Bothriurus coriaceus
Bothriurus dumayi
Bothriurus flavidus
Bothriurus guarani
Bothriurus huincul
Bothriurus illudens
Bothriurus inermis
Bothriurus jesuita
Bothriurus keyserlingi
Bothriurus maculatus
Bothriurus mochaensis
Bothriurus moojeni
Bothriurus noa
Bothriurus olaen
Bothriurus pampa
Bothriurus patagonicus
Bothriurus pichicuy
Bothriurus picunche
Bothriurus pora
Bothriurus prospicuus
Bothriurus rochai
Bothriurus rochai occidentalis
Bothriurus rochensis
Bothriurus rubescens
Bothriurus sanctacrucis
Bothriurus signatus
Bothriurus sooretamensis
Bothriurus trivittatus
Bothriurus vachoni
Bothriurus vittatus
Bothriurus voyati
Bothriurus wilhelmi
Bothriurus ypsilon
Brachistosternus aconcagua
Brachistosternus alienus
Brachistosternus andinus
Brachistosternus angustimanus
Brachistosternus artigasi
Brachistosternus borellii
Brachistosternus castroi
Brachistosternus cekalovici
Brachistosternus chango
Brachistosternus chilensis
Brachistosternus donosoi
Brachistosternus ehrenbergii
Brachistosternus ferrugineus
Brachistosternus galianoae
Brachistosternus holmbergi
Brachistosternus intermedius
Brachistosternus kamanchaca
Brachistosternus kovariki
Brachistosternus mattonii
Brachistosternus montanus
Brachistosternus multidentatus
Brachistosternus negrei
Brachistosternus ninapo
Brachistosternus ochoai
Brachistosternus paulae
Brachistosternus pegnai
Brachistosternus pentheri
Brachistosternus perettii
Brachistosternus peruvianus
Brachistosternus piacentinii
Brachistosternus prendinii
Brachistosternus quiscapata
Brachistosternus roigalsinai
Brachistosternus sciosciae
Brachistosternus simoneae
Brachistosternus telteca
Brachistosternus titicaca
Brachistosternus turpuq
Brachistosternus weijenberghi
Brachistosternus weyenberghii
Brachistosternus zambrunoi
Brandbergia haringtoni
Brazilobothriurus pantanalensis
Broteochactas gonzalezspongai
Broteochactas porosa
Brotheas camposi
Brotheas gervaisii
Brotheas granulatus
Buthacus arenicola
Buthacus birulai
Buthacus buettikeri
Buthacus calviceps
Buthacus clevai
Buthacus foleyi
Buthacus frontalis
Buthacus huberi
Buthacus leptochelys
Buthacus macrocentrus
Buthacus mahraouii
Buthacus maliensis
Buthacus nigerianus
Buthacus occidentalis
Buthacus pakistanensis
Buthacus spatzi
Buthacus striffleri
Buthacus tadmorensis
Buthacus villiersi
Buthacus yothvatensis
Buthacus ziegleri
Butheoloides annieae
Butheoloides aymerichi
Butheoloides charlotteae
Butheoloides cimrmani
Butheoloides hirsti
Butheoloides maroccanus
Butheoloides milloti
Butheoloides monodi
Butheoloides occidentalis
Butheoloides polisi
Butheoloides schwendingeri
Butheoloides wilsoni
Butheolus andersoni
Butheolus anthracinus
Butheolus arabicus
Butheolus ferrugineus
Butheolus gallagheri
Butheolus thalassinus
Butheolus villosus
Buthiscus bicalcaratus
Buthoscorpio jinnahii
Buthoscorpio politus
Buthoscorpio rahmatii
Buthoscorpio sarasinorum
Buthus albengai
Buthus atlantis
Buthus atlantis atlantis
Buthus atlantis parroti
Buthus barbouri
Buthus barcaeus
Buthus bonito
Buthus brignolii
Buthus chambiensis
Buthus draa
Buthus dunlopi
Buthus elhennawyi
Buthus elizabethae
Buthus elmoutaouakili
Buthus ibericus
Buthus insolitus
Buthus intumescens
Buthus jianxinae
Buthus lienhardi
Buthus malhommei
Buthus mardochei
Buthus mariefranceae
Buthus maroccanus
Buthus montanus
Buthus occitanus
Buthus occitanus barcaeus
Buthus occitanus berberensis
Buthus occitanus israelis
Buthus occitanus malhommei
Buthus occitanus mardochei
Buthus occitanus nigrovesiculosus
Buthus occitanus occitanus
Buthus occitanus paris
Buthus occitanus tridentatus
Buthus occitanus tunetanus
Buthus paris
Buthus rochati
Buthus tassili
Buthus tunetanus
C
Caraboctonus keyserlingi
Cazierus asper
Cazierus chryseus
Cazierus gundlachii
Cazierus paradoxus
Cazierus parvus
Cazierus scaber
Cazierus torrei
Centromachetes obscurus
Centromachetes pocockii
Centromachetes titschaki
Centruroides anchorellus
Centruroides arctimanus
Centruroides baergi
Centruroides balsaensis
Centruroides bani
Centruroides baracoae
Centruroides barbudensis
Centruroides bertholdii
Centruroides bicolor
Centruroides chamualensis
Centruroides chamulaensis
Centruroides chiapanensis
Centruroides chiapanensis chiapanensis
Centruroides chiapanensis tapachulaensis
Centruroides elegans
Centruroides elegans edentulus
Centruroides elegans elegans
Centruroides elegans isularis
Centruroides exilicauda
Centruroides exsul
Centruroides flavopictus
Centruroides fulvipes
Centruroides gracilis
Centruroides guanensis
Centruroides hentzi
Centruroides hoffmanni
Centruroides infamatus
Centruroides koesteri
Centruroides limbatus
Centruroides limpidus
Centruroides margaritatus
Centruroides meisei
Centruroides melanodactylus
Centruroides navarroi
Centruroides nigrescens
Centruroides nigrovariatus
Centruroides nitidus
Centruroides noxius
Centruroides ochraceus
Centruroides orizaba
Centruroides pallidiceps
Centruroides platnicki
Centruroides rileyi
Centruroides robertoi
Centruroides schmidti
Centruroides sculpturatus
Centruroides sissomi
Centruroides stockwelli
Centruroides suffusus
Centruroides testaceus
Centruroides thorellii
Centruroides vittatus
Cercophonius granulosus
Cercophonius himalayensis
Cercophonius kershawi
Cercophonius michaelseni
Cercophonius queenslandae
Cercophonius squama
Cercophonius sulcatus
Chactas aequinoctialis
Chactas barravierai
Chactas brevicaudatus
Chactas brownelli
Chactas camposi
Chactas exsul
Chactas hauseri
Chactas karschii
Chactas keyserlingii
Chactas mahnerti
Chactas major
Chactas mauriesi
Chactas oxfordi
Chactas ozendai
Chactas reticulatus
Chactas rubrolineatus
Chactas scrabimanus
Chactas vanbenedenii
Chactopsis insignis
Chaerilus philippinus
Compsobuthus brevimanus
D
Didymocentrus armasi
Didymocentrus jaumei
Didymocentrus krausi
Didymocentrus sanfelipensis
Didymocentrus trinitarius
Diplocentrus actun
Diplocentrus anophthalmus
Diplocentrus bellator
Diplocentrus bereai
Diplocentrus chiapasensis
Diplocentrus churumuco
Diplocentrus colwelli
Diplocentrus coylei
Diplocentrus cozumel
Diplocentrus cueva
Diplocentrus diablo
Diplocentrus ferrugineus
Diplocentrus gertschi
Diplocentrus hoffmanni
Diplocentrus jaca
Diplocentrus keyserlingii
Diplocentrus lindo
Diplocentrus lucidus
Diplocentrus luisae
Diplocentrus maya
Diplocentrus mellici
Diplocentrus mexicanus
Diplocentrus mitchelli
Diplocentrus mitlae
Diplocentrus montecristo
Diplocentrus ochoterenai
Diplocentrus ornatus
Diplocentrus peloncillensis
Diplocentrus perezi
Diplocentrus rectimanus
Diplocentrus reddelli
Diplocentrus roo
Diplocentrus silanesi
Diplocentrus sinaan
Diplocentrus spitzeri
Diplocentrus steeleae
Diplocentrus taibeli
Diplocentrus tehuacanus
Diplocentrus tehuano
Diplocentrus whitei
Diplocentrus williamsi
Diplocentrus zacatecanus
E
Euscorpius alpha
Euscorpius balearicus
Euscorpius flavicaudis
Euscorpius italicus
F
Franckeus kochi
Franckeus minckleyi
Franckeus nitidulys
Franckeus peninsularis
Franckeus platnicki
Franckeus rubrimanus
G
Grosphus ankarafantsika
Grosphus ankarana
Grosphus annulatus
Grosphus flavopiceus
Grosphus grandidieri
Grosphus limbatus
Grosphus madagascariensis
H
Hadogenes paucidens
Hadrurochactas schaumii
Hadruroides aguilari
Hadruroides carinatus
Hadruroides charcasus
Hadruroides leopardus
Hadruroides lunatus
Hadruroides maculatus
Hadruroides mauryi
Hadruroides udvardyi
Hadrurus arizonensis
Hadrurus concolorous
Hadrurus hirsutus
Hadrurus obscurus
Hadrurus pinteri
Hadrurus spadix
Hemilychas alexandrinus
Hemiscorpius lepturus
Heterometrus beccaloniae
Heterometrus cyaneus
Heterometrus fulvipes
Heterometrus laoticus
Heterometrus longimanus
Heterometrus madraspatensis
Heterometrus petersii
Heterometrus spinifer
Heteronebo bermudezi
Heteronebo caymanensis
Heteronebo nibujon
Hoffmannihadrurus aztecus
Hottentotta alticola
Hottentotta caboverdensis
Hottentotta conspersus
Hottentotta franzwerneri
Hottentotta gentili
Hottentotta hottentotta
Hottentotta jayakari
Hottentotta jayakari jayakari
Hottentotta jayakari salei
Hottentotta judaicus
Hottentotta minax
Hottentotta minax minax
Hottentotta minax niloticus
Hottentotta minax occidentalis
Hottentotta minax tigrinus
Hottentotta nigrocarinatus
Hottentotta polystictus
Hottentotta tamulus
Hottentotta trilineatus
I
Iomachus politus
Isometroides angusticaudus
Isometroides vescusIsometrus bilyiIsometrus brachycentrus
Isometrus heimiIsometrus maculatus
Isometrus melanodactylus
L
Leiurus quinquestriatus
Liocheles australasiae
Liocheles extensus
Liocheles karschii
Liocheles litodactylus
Liocheles penta
Liocheles polisorum
Liocheles waigiensis
Lisposoma elegans
Lisposoma haringtoni
Lisposoma joseehermana
Lychas buchardi
Lychas buchari
Lychas jonesae
Lychas marmoreus
Lychas mjobergi
Lychas mucronatus
Lychas nigristernis
Lychas obsti
Lychas perfidus
Lychas variatus
M
Megacormus gertschi
Megacormus granosus
Megacormus grubbsi
Megacormus segmentatus
Mesobuthus eupeus
Mesobuthus gibbosus
Mesobuthus martensi
Mesobuthus martensii
Microananteris minor
Microtityus difficilis
Microtityus farleyi
Microtityus fundorai
Microtityus guantanamo
Microtityus jaumei
Microtityus trinitensis
N
Nebo hierichonticus
Nebo yemenensis
Neochactas colombiensis
Neochactas delicatus
Neochactas fravalae
Neochactas gaillardi
Neochactas granosus
Neochactas kelleri
Neochactas sissomi
Nullibrotheas allenii
O
Opisthacanthus asper
Opisthacanthus cayaporum
Opisthacanthus elatus
Opisthacanthus rugiceps
Opisthacanthus valerioi
Opisthacanthus weyrauchi
Opistophthalmus boehmi
Opistophthalmus capensis
Opistophthalmus fuscipes
Opistophthalmus glabrifrons
Orobothriurus alticola
Orobothriurus atiquipa
Orobothriurus bivittatus
Orobothriurus crassimanus
Orobothriurus curvidigitus
Orobothriurus famatina
Orobothriurus inca
Orobothriurus lourencoi
Orobothriurus paessleri
Orobothriurus parvus
Orobothriurus peruvianus
Orobothriurus wawita
Orthochirus bicolor
Orthochirus danielleae
Orthochirus erardi
Orthochirus fuscipes
Orthochirus innesi
Orthochirus monodi
Orthochirus scrobiculosusz
P
Pachakutej crassimanus
Pachakutej inca
Pachakutej iskay
Pachakutej juchuicha
Pachakutej oscari
Pachakutej peruvianus
Pandinus cavimanus
Pandinus imperator
Parabuthus granulatus
Parabuthus leiosoma
Parabuthus liosoma
Parabuthus mossambicensis
Parabuthus pallidus
Parabuthus planicauda
Parabuthus schlechteri
Parabuthus transvaalicus
Parabuthus villosus
Paravaejovis pumilis
Paruroctonus arenicola
Paruroctonus arnaudi
Paruroctonus baergi
Paruroctonus bajae
Paruroctonus bantai
Paruroctonus becki
Paruroctonus boquillas
Paruroctonus boreus
Paruroctonus borregoensis
Paruroctonus coahuilanus
Paruroctonus gracilior
Paruroctonus hirsutipes
Paruroctonus luteolu
Paruroctonus luteolus
Paruroctonus maritimus
Paruroctonus marksi
Paruroctonus nitidus
Paruroctonus pecos
Paruroctonus pseudopumilis
Paruroctonus shulovi
Paruroctonus silvestrii
Paruroctonus simulatus
Paruroctonus stahnkei
Paruroctonus surensis
Paruroctonus utahensis
Paruroctonus variabilis
Paruroctonus ventosus
Paruroctonus williamsi
Paruroctonus xanthus
Phoniocercus pictus
Phoniocercus sanmartini
Plesiochactas dilutus
Pseudouroctonus andreas
Pseudouroctonus angelenus
Pseudouroctonus apacheanus
Pseudouroctonus bogerti
Pseudouroctonus cazieri
Pseudouroctonus chicano
Pseudouroctonus glimmei
Pseudouroctonus iviei
Pseudouroctonus lindsayi
Pseudouroctonus minimus
Pseudouroctonus reddelli
Pseudouroctonus rufulus
Pseudouroctonus williamsi
R
Rhopalurus debilis
Rhopalurus garridoi
Rhopalurus gibarae
Rhopalurus granulimanus
Rhopalurus junceus
Rhopalurus laticauda
Rhopalurus laticauda pintoi
Rhopalurus princeps
S
Scorpio maurus
Scorpio maurus palmatus
Serradigitus adcocki
Serradigitus agilis
Serradigitus armadentis
Serradigitus baueri
Serradigitus bechteli
Serradigitus calidus
Serradigitus deserticola
Serradigitus dwyeri
Serradigitus gertschi
Serradigitus gertschi striatus
Serradigitus gigantaensis
Serradigitus gramenestris
Serradigitus haradoni
Serradigitus hearnei
Serradigitus joshuaensis
Serradigitus littoralis
Serradigitus minutus
Serradigitus subtilimanus
Serradigitus torridus
Serradigitus wupatkiensis
Serradigitus yaqui
Smeringurus aridus
Smeringurus grandis
Smeringurus mesaensis
Smeringurus vachoni
Sotanochactas elliotti
Stahnkeus allredi
Stahnkeus harbisoni
Stahnkeus polisi
Stahnkeus subtilimanus
Superstitiona donensis
Superstitionia donensis
Syntropis aalbui
Syntropis macrura
Syntropis williamsi
T
Tarsoporosus anchicaya
Tarsoporosus kugleri
Tehuankea moyanoi
Teuthraustes amazonicus
Teuthraustes atramentarius
Teuthraustes dubius
Teuthraustes festae
Teuthraustes gervaisii
Teuthraustes glaber
Teuthraustes guerdouxi
Teuthraustes lojanus
Teuthraustes oculatus
Teuthraustes ohausi
Teuthraustes rosenbergi
Teuthraustes simonsi
Teuthraustes whymperi
Teuthraustes wittii
Thestylus aurantiurus
Thestylus glasioui
Thestylus signatus
Timogenes dorbignyi
Timogenes elegans
Timogenes haplochirus
Timogenes mapuche
Timogenes sumatranus
Tityobuthus betschi
Tityobuthus chelbergorum
Tityobuthus mccarteri
Tityopsis aliciae
Tityopsis inaequalis
Tityopsis inexpectata
Tityus androcottoides
Tityus antioquensis
Tityus argentinus
Tityus asthenes
Tityus bahiensis
Tityus bastosi
Tityus betschi
Tityus blanci
Tityus cerroazul
Tityus charalaensis
Tityus clathratus
Tityus columbianus
Tityus confluens
Tityus costatus
Tityus cuellari
Tityus dasyurus
Tityus dedoslargos
Tityus demangei
Tityus ecuadorensis
Tityus engelkei
Tityus erikae
Tityus falconensis
Tityus fasciolatus
Tityus florezi
Tityus footei
Tityus forcipula
Tityus fuhrmanni
Tityus gaffini
Tityus gasci
Tityus gonzalespongai
Tityus intermedius
Tityus julianae
Tityus jussarae
Tityus lourencoi
Tityus macrochirus
Tityus magnimanus
Tityus mattogrossensis
Tityus metuendus
Tityus mraceki
Tityus nematochirus
Tityus ocelote
Tityus oteroi
Tityus pachyurus
Tityus paraensis
Tityus paraguayensis
Tityus parvulus
Tityus prancei
Tityus pugilator
Tityus quisqueyanus
Tityus rebieri
Tityus roigi
Tityus sabineae
Tityus sastrei
Tityus serrulatus
Tityus silvestris
Tityus simonsi
Tityus soratensis
Tityus stigmurus
Tityus sylvestris
Tityus tayrona
Tityus trinitatus
Tityus trivittatus
Tityus urbinai
Tityus urugayensis
Tityus vaissadei
Tityus ythieri
Tityus zulianus
Troglocormus ciego
Troglocormus willis
Troglotayosicus vachoni
Typhlochactas cavicola
Typhlochactas granulosus
Typhlochactas mitchelli
Typhlochactas reddelli
Typhlochactas rhodesi
Typhlochactas sylvestris
U
Uroctonites giulianii
Uroctonites montereus
Uroctonites sequoia
Uroctonus franckei
Uroctonus grahami
Uroctonus mordax
Urodacus armatus
Urodacus carinatus
Urodacus centralis
Urodacus elongatus
Urodacus excellens
Urodacus giulianii
Urodacus hartmeyeri
Urodacus hoplurus
Urodacus koolanensis
Urodacus lowei
Urodacus macrurus
Urodacus manicatus
Urodacus mckenziei
Urodacus megamastigus
Urodacus novaehollandiae
Urodacus planimanus
Urodacus similis
Urodacus spinatus
Urodacus varians
Urodacus yaschenkoi
Urophonius achalensis
Urophonius brachycentrus
Urophonius eugenicus
Urophonius exochus
Urophonius granulatus
Urophonius iheringi
Urophonius mahuidensis
Urophonius somuncura
Urophonius transandinus
Urophonius tregualemuensis
Urophonius tumbensis
Uroplectes carinatus
Uroplectes olivaceus
Uroplectes planimanus
Uroplectes planimarus
V
Vachonia martinezi
Vachoniochactas humboldti
Vaejovis acapulco
Vaejovis atenago
Vaejovis bilineatus
Vaejovis bruneus
Vaejovis carolinianus
Vaejovis cashi
Vaejovis cazieri
Vaejovis chamelaensis
Vaejovis chiapas
Vaejovis chisos
Vaejovis cisnerosi
Vaejovis coahuilae
Vaejovis confusus
Vaejovis crassimanus
Vaejovis curvidigitus
Vaejovis decipiens
Vaejovis diazi
Vaejovis dugesi
Vaejovis eusthenura
Vaejovis feti
Vaejovis flavus
Vaejovis franckei
Vaejovis freti
Vaejovis galbus
Vaejovis glabrimanus
Vaejovis globosus
Vaejovis gracilis
Vaejovis granulatus
Vaejovis gravicaudus
Vaejovis hirsuticauda
Vaejovis hoffmanni
Vaejovis insularis
Vaejovis intermedius
Vaejovis intrepidus
Vaejovis janssi
Vaejovis jonesi
Vaejovis maculosus
Vaejovis magdalensis
Vaejovis mauryi
Vaejovis mexicanus
Vaejovis mitchelli
Vaejovis monticola
Vaejovis nayarit
Vaejovis nigrescens
Vaejovis nigrofemoratus
Vaejovis norteno
Vaejovis occidentalis
Vaejovis pattersoni
Vaejovis pequeno
Vaejovis pococki
Vaejovis punctatus
Vaejovis punctipalpi
Vaejovis puritanus
Vaejovis pusillus
Vaejovis rossmani
Vaejovis russelli
Vaejovis setosus
Vaejovis solegladi
Vaejovis spicatus
Vaejovis spinigerus
Vaejovis sprousei
Vaejovis subcristatus
Vaejovis tesselatus
Vaejovis vaquero
Vaejovis viscainensis
Vaejovis vittatus
Vaejovis waeringi
Vaejovis waueri
Vejovoidus longiunguis
Z
Zabius fuscus
Fascinating Facts
Scorpions do not have any bones. They have exoskeletons, which are made of the same substance that fingernails are made of – chitin.
Scorpions can have anywhere between 4 to 12 eyes? They have one primary pair in the center, and 2 to 5 pairs on either side of the head. Despite this, they have poor vision!
The oldest scorpion fossils date back more than 400 million years.
Scorpions’ exoskeletons are so tough, they can protect the scorpions from nuclear explosions! No wonder then, that these hardy creatures have survived ice ages, meteor showers, climatic changes, and nuclear wars, and still continue to thrive.
The venom of every species is different from the others. Their venom is equivalent to human fingerprints.
“Promenade à deux” is a mating ritual that resembles dancing. But it is actually the male grasping the female scorpion’s claws and leading her around to find a suitable place to mate.
The Paradox
The Feared Stinger
Crunchy Scorpion Delicacy
Scorpions happen to be one of the most noble yet misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom. Were you aware that scorpions are timid by nature? Their first reaction when confronted by a perceived threat is to crawl away or remain very still. They will not sting if they not provoked, and if they are they will usually administer a “dry sting”, i.e., a sting without injecting venom, or a sting with minimum venom. Only if they have been harassed or mishandled will they deliver a full-fledged sting. They are creatures who keep to themselves, and as such deserve to be dealt with, with dignity and respect for their space when encountered.