Scorpions are not insects, but are arachnids like spiders since they have 8 legs not like a normal insect where they have 6 legs. There are 300 different kinds of scorpions, divided in 3 groups. The whip scorpion got its name because its abdomen ends in a long, slender ‘tail’. Usually, scorpions don’t have a ‘tail’, but the first pair of legs is so extremely slender that it looks like a pair of antennae, which look like thin twigs. There are other scorpions which are quite small and some are almost invisible to the naked eye, and receives little attention except from a handful of biologists, since they are easily stepped on.

The characteristic feature for scorpions are a second pair of appendages, which look like the claws of a lobster or a crab. These appendages are sometimes covered with nasty, sharp spines. They are used for catching insects, especially cockroaches, which are in their diet. The largest species even may attack and eat frogs and small toads. The biggest is 2H inches long and lives in Mexico and a few southern states in America (that’s VERY nice to know, ain’t it, Texas???). They are usually around 6 centimeters and are nocturnal, usually spending the day hiding under stones or in ‘runs’ or tunnels of its own digging. They usually lay 20 to 35 eggs and the mother keeps her eggs in a membrane under her abdomen, like a marsupial. When the scorpions hatch, they will stick to their mother’s side and will ride on her back for protection.

Whip-scorpions and other scorpions are feared either because of their appearance or size, but they are quite harmless. They do not bite or sting and have no venom glands. The largest could of course scratch anyone handling them. They are sometimes considered as pets but aren’t everyone’s first choice.

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