How Does a Scorpion Sting?

Telsons

Scorpions are invertebrates, with eight legs, a long body, and a segmented tail which has a telson, or stinger, at the tip of it. The telson actually contains two parts: The sac containing the venom, and a sharp, curved and hollow aceleus, or point, which delivers the venom.

There are thought to be around 1,200 species of scorpions around the world, and some are more poisonous than others. The most poisonous scorpions live in North Africa and the Middle East.

Scorpions are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. During the day, they hide under rocks, in cracks and crevices, and squeeze themselves into corners. Most people who get stung by a scorpion do so because they accidentally startled a scorpion out of its daytime hiding place.

Venom

Scorpions use their venom to defend against predators and subdue their prey. Some male species of scorpion also use their venom when mating, to subdue but not injure the female.

Scorpion venom varies by species, but it is usually a mixture of small molecules, proteins, salts and peptides. It is the peptides that vary widely between species. Some scorpions have peptides that target only other invertebrates, some scorpions have peptides that target only vertebrates, and some have venom that contains peptides which target both vertebrates and invertebrates. The peptides, salt and other ingredients in the venom serve to attack and disable the nervous system of the prey.

Stinging

Scorpions sting by holding down their prey with their claws (or leaping onto and holding onto victim with their claws), lifting their tail and quickly striking the victim with the sharp tip of the tail, penetrating the skin and sometimes clothing as well. The hollow point at the tip of the aceleus delivers the venom. The scorpion can control the amount of venom released, and will do so depending on the size of the prey or apparent threat. In addition, the scorpion will continue to inject venom into the prey if it fights. In this manner, the scorpion can conserve venom for those instances when it needs it most.

Resources

• More about scorpions from Texas A&M University.