The scorpion, much like the many varieties of spiders that commonly invade homes across this country, are interesting species. Though most people don’t welcome them in the home and will want to get rid of them when they try to make their way in, there are many things about these household pests that are very unique to the species.
The Senses
Scorpions cannot see well, despite having between six and a dozen eyes. Differentiating between light and dark is about the extent of what they manage. It is not their vision that they rely on when hunting for food or detecting a potential threat.
Instead, these insects use a strong sense of smell to locate food and will let vibrations tell them more about the environment around them. The poor vision could be due to their nocturnal tendencies. This is not a pest that you will see venturing through your home during the daytime hours, in most cases. Scorpions will find holes and other hiding places to tuck away in until night falls.
The Life of a Scorpion
Even before birth, the scorpion develops its own venom. The type of substance secreted depends on the species. Though there are approximately ninety types of scorpion, only a quarter of the known species have venom capable of causing illness or death in humans. The main purpose of the toxin is to be injected into prey, where it turns the innards into a liquid that can be sucked out by the hungry scorpion. A sting to humans can induce migraine-like headaches, which last a week or longer.
However, before the newborns go on a hunt, they must grow. Scorplings, as the babies are called, will ride on their mother’s back for weeks before travelling out on their own. Females will generally grow faster and larger than their male counterparts and, in some instances, the mother will feed on her young or the male that impregnated her. On average a scorpion will live between two and ten years in the wild, but in captivity they can live much longer – up to twenty-five years. Depending on the species, they will grow to be as little as half an inch long or up to more than seven inches in length.
Where They are Found
Antarctica is the only continent that is not home to a population of scorpions. Pest control services have had to develop unique ways to deal with the troublesome insects, which share genetic traits with mites, spiders, and ticks. They will generally find homes around rocks, sand, or trees, but as long as there is soil nearby and areas to hide away during the day, scorpions can adapt. Though the majority of the species prefer warm climates with temperatures between sixty and one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, there are varieties that can make homes in climates that experience freezing temperatures. Eighteen species can be found in the state of Texas, but some of the most dangerous varieties are found in North Africa and the Middle East. The most poisonous scorpion is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. The Stripped Bark Scorpion is native to Arkansas.
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