5 Spellbinding Scorpions

Here we present to you 5 Spellbinding Scorpions. Few forms of life on this planet attract as much interest as arachnids, which includes scorpions, not just spiders. For some, these are the stuff of nightmares, while for others they are a source of endless wonder. Love or hate these 5 Spellbinding Scorpions, or their kin, we must respect their place in the world of Nature. We hope you enjoy the article.

Euscorpius Lycius

Euscorpius Lycius Facts

• First on our list of 5 Spellbinding Scorpions is the remarkable species known as the Euscorpius Lycius, with no recognized common name.
• This amazing creature represents a newly discovered variety of scorpion. It also represents an arachnid part of the group commonly popular as wood-scorpions.
• The invertebrate remains quite new to scientists, so very little information currently remains available. For the moment, the Euscorpius Lycius seems to only exist within one small area.
• It also bears a strong physical similarity to other types of known wood scorpions. So, confusion sometimes happens.
• Therefore, researchers continue to review data on other scorpion types. This is done to ascertain whether or not someone previously misidentified the Euscorpius Lycius as another species.

Euscorpius Lycius Physical Description

Despite its quite fierce appearance, the Euscorpius Lycius actually grows very small. For example, mature adults rarely exceed 1 in (2.5 cm) in total length.

The coloring of the body also most commonly consists of pale shades of brown or reddish-brown. Yet, this does vary somewhat, among individuals.

However, the claws of this remarkable species usually appear darker than the rest of the body.

Finally, this newly identified scorpion is venomous, but the venom measures extremely mild in nature. For instance, its toxicity level is similar to that of a small bee, or even less. 

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Arachnida
• Order: Scorpiones
• Family: Euscorpiidae
• Genus: Euscorpius
• Species: E. Lycius

Euscorpius Lycius Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Scientists first found the Euscorpius Lycius in dense pine forests in the provinces of Mugla and Antalya. This region lies along the southern coastal region of Turkey, in Asia.

To date, very few individual scorpion specimens have been discovered and observed.

For the moment, it seems to be primarily nocturnal in nature. At this time it is only known to hunt a variety of insects.

So far, the regions it is known to inhabit have a cool and humid climate. 

Lesser Brown Scorpion

Lesser Brown Scorpion Facts

• The next entry on our list of 5 Spellbinding Scorpions is the often troublesome Lesser Brown Scorpion.
• Firstly, the term serves as the common name for a truly impressive looking yet basically harmless variety of scorpion.
• It has now spread far beyond its original endemic range. Experts believe that this has occurred primarily due to the inadvertent actions of humans.
• This happened primarily through the exporting of goods from its native areas, although the pet trade doubtless played a role as well.
• In addition, through no fault of its own, it now poses a threat to indigenous species in some of the regions where it has been introduced.

Lesser Brown Scorpion Physical Description

Firstly, the Lesser Brown Scorpion ranks as a moderate-sized species of scorpion. It attains an average length of about 2 in (5 cm). Its coloring is typically a combination of shades of brown, with small amounts of black.

The arachnid also possesses a relatively long lifespan. Individuals may live as long as five years.

Its mating practices are similar to those of spider. After mating, the female will often consume the male.

Young are born alive, and the female of this amazing species will carry the young on its back until they attain a firm carapace.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Arachnida
• Order: Scorpiones
• Family: Buthidae
• Genus: Isometrus
• Species: I. maculatus

Lesser Brown Scorpion Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The Lesser Brown Scorpion is an arachnid species endemic to a pantropical range. The species has also now been unintentionally introduced to several of the Hawaiian Islands. It typically prefers to inhabit warm moist areas.

This invertebrate also remains primarily nocturnal in nature. As a result, it will emerge at night to hunt. It eats spiders, insects, millipedes, and occasionally small rodents.

During the heat of the day, this invertebrate prefers to hide under loose rocks, fallen trees, piles of debris, or even the floors.

Most importantly, its venom is not fatal to humans. The pain and side effects of the venom have been compared to that of the sting of a bee.

This species does display cannibalistic tendencies, however. At times, the mother scorpion will feed on her own young if no other prey is available.

Deathstalker Scorpion

Deathstalker Scorpion Facts

• Listing as third on our compendium of 5 Spellbinding Scorpions is the terrifyingly-named Deathstalker Scorpion.
• The small creature bears the scientific name of Leiurus quinquestriatus. It represents a truly impressive species of scorpion in the Buthidae family.
• This remarkable arachnid also ranks as an extremely dangerous variety of scorpion. To clarify, its venom contains an incredibly powerful combination of neurotoxins.
• It remains capable of delivering a lethal sting to some. This includes young children, the elderly, or the otherwise immune impaired. Yet, a healthy adult is likely to survive its sting.
• However, the sting of this particular scorpion ranks as extremely painful.
• The invertebrate also currently ranks as the third most venomous scorpion on earth. On the other hand, its venom seems to be of considerable interest to medical researchers.
• One of the unique components of Deathstalker Scorpion venom shows great promise in the treatment of brain tumors.

Deathstalker Scorpion Physical Description

The fascinating Deathstalker Scorpion exhibits sexual dimorphism. This occurs due to the fact the males of the species average about 3 in (7.5 cm) in length.

The females, however, average about 4 in (10 cm) in length. Despite the difference in length, both genders average roughly 2.5 grams in weight.

In color, it shows primarily a pale yellow. Yet horizontal stripes of a light gray also appear, as well as occasional random patches of orange-yellow.

It possesses two eyes on the top of its head. It also has several pairs located along the side of the head.

Uniquely, the tail commonly displays a single dark section, located just before the stinger.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Arachnida
• Order: Scorpiones
• Family: Buthidae
• Genus: Leiurus
• Species: L. quinquestriatus

Deathstalker Scorpion Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The Deathstalker Scorpion inhabits a quite specific range. This extends from the Middle East to Northern Africa. It also inhabits limited portions of Asia.

Within that range, it primarily inhabits extremely arid regions of the world. As a result, this includes scrubland and desert habitats. Consequently, individuals most commonly live under rocks or in abandoned animal burrows.

This arthropod also evolved as primarily nocturnal in nature. As a desert carnivore, it typically preys on insects, earthworms, spiders, centipedes, and even other scorpions.

In addition, it hunts as an ambush predator. Consequently, it relies on the sensitivity of the hairs on its legs to detect vibrations. 

Finally, despite the toxicity of its venom, it, unfortunately, continues to be rather popular as exotic pets.

Arizona Bark Scorpion Facts

• Our fourth entry on the list of 5 Spellbinding Scorpions is the slightly deceptively named Arizona Bark Scorpion.
• Most notably, but perhaps not surprisingly, this entry to the list, Centruroides sculpturatus, is fairly dangerous.
• To clarify, this truly impressive invertebrate is the most poisonous scorpion in North America. Thankfully, however, envenomings rarely occur.
• Though not commonly fatal, the effects of its venom can last as long as 72 hours. In addition, its venom causes severe pain, along with numbness, tingling, and vomiting in adult humans.
• However, its numbers appear to be declining rapidly, due to several reasons. Development, pesticides and collecting scorpions for research appear to be the main causes.

Arizona Bark Scorpion Physical Description

Firstly, the amazing Arizona Bark Scorpion, like many related species, displays a slight degree of sexual dimorphism.

Also, an adult male can reach a length of as much as 3.1 in (8 cm). Yet a female has a maximum length of only about 2.75 in (7 cm).

Also, its coloring provides it with excellent camouflage. The body usually presents a yellowish-brown, yet the tail and appendages show dark yellow.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Arachnida
• Order: Scorpiones
• Family: Buthidae
• Genus: Centruroides
• Species: C. sculpturatus

Arizona Bark Scorpion Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Its common name, the Arizona Bark Scorpion, is somewhat misleading. It actually lives in the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

In addition, it prefers riparian areas with mesquite, cottonwood, and sycamore groves. All of these have sufficient moisture and humidity to support insects and other prey species.

Further, the Arizona Bark Scorpion is nocturnal and prefers to ambush its prey. The usual food is crickets, roaches, beetles, and other small insects.

Furthermore, it is one of the few scorpions in the southwest that can climb walls, trees, and other objects with a sufficiently rough surface. 

It itself, in turn, also falls prey to a wide variety of animals. These include birds, reptiles, and other invertebrates, for example. Moreover, some examples include snakes, spiders, rodents, and even other scorpions.

Asian Forest Scorpion

Asian Forest Scorpion Facts

• The fifth and final entry on our list of 5 Spellbinding Scorpions is the incredible Asian Forest Scorpion.
• This stunning species is a remarkable variety of arachnid. Imagine finding this creature in one of your shoes as you camp in the wilderness.
• Most notably, it easily ranks as one of the largest scorpions on earth. However, despite its size, its venom generally poses no threat to humans.
• Yet rather sadly, it is commonly sold in the exotic pet industry. This occurs due to the combination of impressive size and low toxicity.
• Meanwhile, the IUCN has no listing for this creature. It has a large habitat range, and has also, for the moment, maintained its numbers.

Asian Forest Scorpion Physical Description

Firstly, the amazing Asian Forest Scorpion is a physically impressive species. Body length often reaches a total of roughly 4.7 in (12 cm).

Yet sexual dimorphism is present. Consequently, while the length may be roughly identical between genders, males have larger claws.

Its body most commonly displays a shiny black color. However, greenish-black shades, or even bluish, often almost glossy, sometimes appear.

This invertebrate is also heavily built, including the especially powerful pincers. Certainly, it uses these in defense more than the tail.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Chelicerata
• Order: Scorpiones
• Family: Scorpionidae
• Genus: Heterometrus
• Species: H. spinifer

Asian Forest Scorpion Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Above all, the magnificent Asian Forest Scorpion is distributed widely across tropical and subtropical southeastern Asia.

Most notably, this region includes the countries of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and China.

Like most species of scorpion, the animal is also principally nocturnal. Further, individuals prefer to hide under logs or leaves or in burrows during the day.

Meanwhile, just as all arachnids, it evolved as a carnivore. Finally, its prey usually consists of a wide variety of insects native to its particular region.

We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed this article about 5 Spellbinding Scorpions. Of course, these represent only a tiny handful of the roughly 1,750 known species of scorpion. While they terrify many, it cannot be denied that, in them, Nature has created a fascinating and highly efficient creature. In most cases, each plays a pivotal role in its habitat. They, like so many other species, however, need our protection.

Check out our other articles on Earth’s Extremely Threatened Flowers, 5 Completely Unique Volcanoes, 9 of the Weirdest Animals on Earth, Wonderful Wild Cats of the World