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Scorpion
Length: Body: 10-17 cm.
Tip tail: 3–9 cm.
Weight: 10-12 g.
Life cycle: 3-5 year

Scorpion

Heterometrus

Description:
Scorpions are actually classified as Arachnids (spiders). There are currently 18 known species/sub­ species of scorpions in Thailand. Scorpions have a large pair of powerful pincers at the front end, with a long poison tipped tail. Scorpions are usually black or dark green in color and 10 to 17 cm long with females being larger than males. Scorpion poison is usually not much different to a bee or wasp sting;
however, it can be fatal to humans if the person is allergic.

Did you know...?

…that Heterometrus, with a length of 20cm one of the largest and heaviest scorpions in the world, lives in Khao Sok National Park? Though large in size, these scorpions are hardly venomous.

Diet:
Scorpions are predators, consuming anything that is smaller than them – and sometimes even a bit larger. This includes other scorpions, spiders, insects, millipedes, crabs, rodents, small birds and even snakes. Scorpions hold on to their prey using the front pincers whilst stabbing the victim with the venomous tail, causing paralysis and/or death.

Habitat:
Scorpions in general (over 1,000 different species) are very adaptive and can live in deserts, mountains, and caves, as well as in grassland, ponds, forests and seashores. They are said to even be capable of surviving high levels of nuclear radiation. In Khao Sok National Park, scorpions are not a common sight, but one can sometimes see them hiding under dead logs or in crevices.

Reproduction
Mating begins with the male scorpion grabbing the female’s pincers, which looks a little bit like a dance. In fact, the male is simply searching for a suitable place for him to deposit his spermatophore, after which he puts the female on top of it to let her absorb it into her body and fertilize the eggs. This dance can last anything from one to twenty five hours, depending on how long it takes the male to find an appropriate spot. Female scorpions can get bored and interrupt the whole scene if it goes on for too long. It is not uncommon for males to get eaten during or after the mating process. The young are born one by one, and until their first molt they live safely on the back of the female.

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