|
|
|
SCORPIONS
|
|
Are all scorpions venomous?
|
|
Yes. All species of scorpion are venomous. If you are an insect, and therefore
potential food for the scorpion, then all of a scorpion stings would be
deadly. However, only a very small number of the over 1050 known species
are dangerous to humans.
Most produce a bee-sting like reaction in humans. It is very painful, but
not life-threatening. The sting or stinger, also called a telson, is located
at the very end of the postabdomen of the scorpion.
|
|
The base of the sting,
or vesicle, is globular and tapers posteriorly to a very narrow, curved
spine called the aculeus.
The vesicle contains a pair of glandular sacs that produce and store the
various components of the scorpion's venom. The aculeus is like a hypodermic
needle. It is hollow and very, very sharp. There is a pair of openings near
the tip from which the venom is delivered. Each venom sac is connected to
one of the openings by a venom duct. The venom sacs are controlled voluntarily
so the scorpion can regulate how much venom is injected with each sting.
Some scorpions don't inject any venom when stinging.
|
|
