Talk:Scorpion

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Somebody replaced the original contents of this page which referred to the animal (invertebrate) called "scorpio"!! Tsferreira 21:39, 15 October 2005 (UTC) I reverted it. Tsferreira 22:07, 15 October 2005 (UTC)

The image (by T.HO) is not a real scorpion -- it looks like an origami thing or a computer-generated image. It is quite misleading to use it in this article - especially without any warning.
Jorge Stolfi 01:56, 7 May 2004 (UTC)

I've replaced it with a public domain image of a real scorpion. Lupo 12:02, 10 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Alot of this page is wrong or lacking in detail so I'm going to redo most/all of it.--Fusion121 22:13, 6 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Contents 1 Suicide 2 Pedipalps 3 Please check accuracy of facts 4 Types 5 No info about diapause 6 survive radiation from nuclear weapons? 7 and attesting affinity with the still earlier marine Arachnida referred to the group Gigantostraca. 8 Eating Scorpions is an Antidote? 9 Venom 10 Venom cure for cancer 11 What do scorpions eat? 12 Bottle green scorpion id 13 Where do scorpions live? 14 what to do when one finds a scorpion in the house? 15 External Links 16 "Article for creation" rejection 17 Insect??? 18 Size range 19 Lack of information 20 Vandalism 21 Scorpion in Ancient Egypt 22 Scorpions as Pets??? 23 Smaller Scorpions more venomous?

[edit] Suicide

I have seen footage of a scorpion committing suicide. Once was with a circle of fire, the other was a scorpion that was trapped in a toilet. They both stung themselves by hooking under the folds of their "armor". Is this for certain that scorpions do not commit suicide? 69.5.159.173 03:56, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

They probably go into spasms in extreme heat or while drowning, stabbing themselves in the process. Drutt 16:02, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

It is possible for a scorpion to sting itself to death. When a stick is placed very close to it's back, a scorpion will try to sting the stick. If the stick is quickly removed, the scorpion is very likely to miss and sting itself. Once the scorpion stings itself once, it will continue to do so rapidly until it is dead. I have no source for this information other than my own observation. I also have no explanation for the scorpion's behavior, only the observation that it occurs. Aherc 01:44, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pedipalps

Pedipalps: these are a pair of modified legs that have evolved into claws. The claws are used for primarily for prey capture, but also play an important part in the scorpion mating dance. The pedipalps are made of up of 6 segments. The claw itself consists of the upper fixed finger (tibia) and the lower moveable finger (tarsus). The size of the pedipalps is highly dependant on the species, however a general trend is that the more venemous the scorpion the narrower the pedipalps, as scorpions with less potent venom use their larger pincers to subdue prey.

I always thought that pedipalps were closer to antenna than legs. Perhaps they could be referred to as "modified appendages."

No current theories suggest they are modified legs--Fusion121 00:35, 16 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Please check accuracy of facts

The phrase "Unless molested, scorpions are perfectly harmless, and only make use of the sting for the purpose of killing prey. Generally, they will run from danger, or remain very still." is IMHO absolutely untrue. Many times when I was in the desert with friends scorpions ran to us. I saw twice a person sitting on a rock, and a scorpion coming from elswhere (not from under the rock) climb the rock and stung the guy without provocation (I did warn them but they wern't paying attention). I knew a professor who also confirmed this, that scorps attack humans without provocation. Again, it might be that there was some circumstance which can be defined "molesting" or whatever, but I think these claims have to be checked. Www.jpfo.org

The scorpion may be after the shade the person casts? I've had this happen, and once it's comfortable between the heel and sole of my boot (not been stepped on), it stops and settles down. I don't encourage you to find out without your trousers tucked safely into your boots, though! Whatever the cause, it's certainly worth mentioning that, as with hornets and spiders (and pretty well everything else), some species are placid, some are right ****'s and there are always exceptions.121.127.194.149 11:59, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

No creature attacks without provocation (unless it's a special case). There are species of scorpions that live underneath rocks. Probably by sitting on the rock, your friend disturbed its home. Also scorpions rarely ever kill their prey; they only stun it. Mooski Magnus 03:04, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

There have been documented cases of rabbits attacking mongoose with no provocation. --x —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.250.65.130 (talk) 20:25, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Types

This article should feture the types of scoprians and the strengths and weaknesses of them all, along with some pictures!-VenomousNinja 23:45, 25 November 2005 (UTC)

I've read of a Central American type called alacron (or alarcon). Can anybody confirm? Trekphiler 23:26, 11 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] No info about diapause

I read an interesting article today at Yahoo! News, "Scorpion Survives Inside Fossil Sample", which desscribed how a scorpion survived 15 months without food or water trapped inside a fossil mold. It said:

Scorpions, which eat insects, are capable of surviving for months without feeding or moving in a sleep period known as diapause, said Richard Baumann, a Brigham Young University zoologist.

As always, I went right to Wikipedia to find out more about diapause, but was disappointed to discover that article is redirected to the ultra-specific mammalian embryonic diapause (itself a stub), without any discussion of the general trait that might suggest its availability to scorpions. Nor is there any use of that term in this article.

Could someone add some (preferably sourced) text about this intriguing scorpion condition? In addition to helping this article, it might lead to the creation of a proper "diapause" article. Thank you. ~ Jeff Q (talk) 02:50, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] survive radiation from nuclear weapons?

I would like to add to the article the fact that scorpions are able to survive the radiation that results from nuclear explosions. My evidence comes from the following website:

http://web.singnet.com.sg/~chuaeecc/what/what.htm#Distribution

"Scorpions can be found in the sea (littoral scorpions), in the mountains, in the desert, in the tropics, in the caves and just about anywhere except perhaps the Arctic and Antarctica. An interesting fact is that scorpions is found to even survive radiation from French nuclear weapons test sites in Sahara (Bites and Stings, 1989)." I'd love to hear any thoughts that you have on my suggestion. Ycaps123 19:07, 11 March 2006 (UTC)

If that is true, is there any information, research or other data as to how scorpions can be exposed to high levels of radiation without suffering negative effects?Dr. Lobotomy 03:17, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

From book F.Kovařík Štíři(Czech)they have very small chromozomes.

Can we have an authoritative English source, since I'm a bit suspicious about this one? Thanks. Jefffire (talk) 20:39, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] and attesting affinity with the still earlier marine Arachnida referred to the group Gigantostraca.

This is confusing me. Concise Encyclopedia Biology says that Gigantostraca is:

giant sea scorpians: an extinct anthropod order containing the genera Pterygotus and Eurypterus.

But doesn't Euryperus belong to Eurypterida? :? TrueMirror 02:57, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Eating Scorpions is an Antidote?

I've repeatedly heard a myth that says that if you eat a scorpion afeter it stung you, eating it will act as an antidote for the venom. The explanation is that the scorpion contains the antibodies for the venom, antiboidies that prevent him from being attacked by his own venom. Hope eventually wikipedia will come up with an answer, I would appretiate if I could be notified (sumac69@hotmail.com)

This is not true. The only known antivenin has been made from scorpion venom peptides, but eating the scorpion will do you no good, except possibly make you throw up that poisonous mushroom you ate for lunch. And anyway, a scorpion is NOT immune to its own venom; it's just not stupid enough to sting itself. Scorpions love to eat other scorpions though. Mooski Magnus 03:11, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Venom

Is it really the case that scorpions (and members of their own species) are immune to their own venom? Many documentaries that I have watched state that the opposite is true. In fact when fighting, they do try to inject and kill each other with venom.

I heard that in general they whear imune to ther poison,but this wasn't systematic.--Pixel ;-) 23:06, 19 September 2006 (UTC) here it says

scorpions are immune to their own poison, but this depends on factors such as the individual's health, where it is stung and the dose of the injection. [1]

This claim makes the mating paragraph contradictory since it states it sometimes sting the female to pacify it.

[edit] Venom cure for cancer

can someone check this--Pixel ;-) 23:10, 19 September 2006 (UTC) [2]

[edit] What do scorpions eat?

There should be a section explaining this.

Do the second 2 paragraphs honestly belong in the how scorpions eat section?!

SoccerPrincess1014 23:18, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Bottle green scorpion id

The image is of a bottle green scorpion from the Western Ghats. Any identification welcome ? (Pocock's Fauna of British India Scorpions volume is available online) Shyamal 01:42, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

Hello,It Heterometrus sp.It is harmless scorpion,but some species are erratic. --Parabuthus cimrmani (talk) 18:03, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Where do scorpions live?

I am doing a project and i have no idea what they live in. I am sad too see that the article has NOTHING on it. Caves, Holes, Trees, etc. Please put this in

Working on Life & Habits Section Intersofia 13:30, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] what to do when one finds a scorpion in the house?

Spray with Lysol? Spray with hairspray? Step on? What? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.251.84.221 (talk) 05:06, 12 March 2007 (UTC).

Pick it up and put it outside? Drutt 07:31, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

If you're wearing a thick-soled closed shoe like a tennis shoe, just step directly on the scorpion to crush it. Be sure to step on the stinger part so the stinger doesn't get you through the side of the shoe. I used to grab them with tongs, but occasionally lost them while mucking about trying to find the tongs. I hated to kill them but I had to draw the line at having them in/around the house. -Rolypolyman 00:06, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Take a empty can, slip it over the scorpion on the floor. Take a piece of cardboard, slowly slip it under the can. The scorpion ususlly moves onto it as it forms the floor. Tip the can upside down, the scorpion is now in the can. Take it and release it outside the house! My children used this technique not just for scorpions but also for Wind scorpions.AshLin 11:50, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Can a scorpion sting not penetrate cardboard? --Stephen Burnett 17:44, 7 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] External Links

If I add a link to the excellent scorpiology.de site, will it be deleted as spam? Drutt 16:12, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Appears to have moved to http://www.skorpionforen.eu/ Drutt 20:49, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "Article for creation" rejection

A proposed Wikipedia article was rejected, because it was written as a letter proposing an article rather than an actual article. However, it is about scorpion stings, and the editors of this page may wish to take it further. If so, please see [3] - you will need to click "Show". Notinasnaid 15:36, 30 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Insect???

Am I missing something? Why does the first sentence say that scorpions are insects, when they are in a different order? Majolo 18:28, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Scorpions aren't insect they are arthropods similar to insect, but they have eight legs and isect(fly,butterfly,ladybird etc.)have six legs.Insects have body diferent to three parts thorax,abdomen and cephalus.Scopions,spiders,vinegaroons,crabspiders,opiliones have abdomen and cephalothorax. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Parabuthus cimrmani (talk • contribs) 18:08, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Size range

The section on physical characteristics doesn't make any mention at all of how big scorpions are. I realize it varies from species to species, but a general range with example would help readers like me who've never seen one in person.4.154.232.77 05:13, 18 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Lack of information

Wow scorpians and scorpian species I have just noticed have a great lack of information on wikipedia, someone should go to credible sites about scorpians and ask for help. TeePee-20.7 16:46, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

Perhaps you should follow your own advice, and come back when you've learned how to spell 'scorpion'. Then by all means feel free to lecture. - Shrivenzale (talk) 10:37, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism

Removed:

"Amazing! Not a single notation or source! What kind of site is this?"

Depends who you ask. To some it's the fount of all knowledge - for others it's a complete waste of time. In theory, it's what its users make it. For example, there are millions of articles lacking cites - which is why there's a perfectly good tag to mark uncited statements. Might be a good idea to use it rather than indulging in this sort of theatrics. - Shrivenzale (talk) 10:37, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Scorpion in Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Serqet (also Selket, Selkis, or Serqis) is seen as a scorpion or a woman with a scorpion on her head. Set (Seth, Sutekh) may, as the article indicates, have that symbolism as well. Source: http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/scorpions.htm Also if required The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, pp 233-5. Naisenu (talk) 04:10, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Scorpions as Pets???

Can someone add some information about keeping scorpions as pets? There is a good example on the Tarantula article. thanks! I love wikipedia! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.40.193.227 (talk) 01:29, 4 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Smaller Scorpions more venomous?

In indiana jones 4, indiana mentions that smaller scorpions are more dangerous than big ones, is that true? Of course it is! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.47.191.173 (talk) 18:40, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

See Scorpion#Venom. EVula // talk // ☯ // 15:40, 2 June 2008 (UTC)