Scorpions are types of arachnids with venomous stings at the end of their tails and sharp, grasping pincers either side of their jaws. They are solitary, nocturnal hunters, using their stings to paralyse or kill their prey. Most scorpions eat insects or spiders, using their saliva to turn body tissues into liquid which they then suck up. Larger species can also feed on lizards, snakes and small mammals. In the desert, scorpions spend most of the day hiding under rocks. They only come out at dusk or dawn.

Senses

Scorpions have poor eyesight, so they rely on hairs on their pincers to sense vibrations and tell them when prey is close by. The giant desert hairy scorpion from America is covered in brown hairs, which help it to detect vibrations. It grows up to 15 centimetres (about 6 inches) long, and feeds on large prey such as lizards.

Raising young

Unusually for arachnids, scorpions give birth to live young, called scorplings. They are carried on their mother’s back until they shed their skins for the first time and become independent—usually two or three weeks after birth. After that, the young scorpions moult on average between five and seven times until they are fully mature. The mother protects them from predators until they are ready to strike out on their own.