15 types of scorpions
Meeting a scorpion can be a terrifying experience.These animals, from the arachnid family, not only seem intimidating and threatening, but also a poison that can be dangerous to humans and pets.
- However.
- Everything will depend on the species of scorpion in question.
- So here at Animal Expert we prepared this article about them and learned to identify them.
Scorpions, also called alacraus, are arthropods related to arachnids, which are distributed almost all over the world except in the Arctic regions and much of Russian territory.
There are about 1,400 different species of scorpions, and they are all toxic, the difference being that poisons act in different ways, so only a few are deadly, others only cause poisoning reactions.
Typically, these animals are characterized by the presence of two tongs and a sting, which they use to inject the poison, when directed to food, scorpions feed on insects and other small animals, such as lizards.they feel threatened, because it’s the most effective defense mechanism they have.Although not all species are deadly, many are extremely dangerous to humans.
They prefer to live in areas of desert climate, where they live among rocks and soil ditches, although it is also possible to find some forest species.
There are some species of scorpions whose sting is deadly to humans, learn how to identify them below:
The Brazilian yellow scorpion (Tityus serrulatus) is distributed in different areas of the Brazilian territory, although it has migrated to others that were not typical due to population growth, is characterized by a black body, but with yellow tail and tips.of this species is capable of causing death, as it directly attacks the nervous system and causes respiratory arrest.
The black-tailed scorpion (Androctonus bicolor) is found in Africa and the East, where it prefers to live in desert and sandy areas, is only 9 cm long and its entire body is very dark black or brown, has nocturnal habits and its behavior is generally violent.The bite of this type of scorpion can also be fatal for humans as it is easily absorbed and causes respiratory arrest.
The Palestinian yellow scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus) inhabits Africa and the East, measures up to 11 cm and is easily identifiable by its yellow body ending in black at the end of the tail, the bite is painful, but only fatal when it affects children or people with heart failure, in these cases it causes pulmonary edema and subsequent death.
The Arizona scorpion (Centruroides esculturatus) is distributed in the United States and Mexico, characterized by a yellowish color, without any other distinction, besides a very curved stinger, measures only 5 centimeters and prefers to live in dry areas, where it takes refuge under rocks and sand.It is considered the most dangerous scorpion in the United States because, like the others, its venom is capable of causing death by affecting the respiratory system.
The common yellow scorpion (Buthus occitanus) inhabits the Iberian Peninsula and several regions of France.It is only 8 centimeters tall and is characterized by a brownish body, with a tail and yellow tips.The poison of this type of scorpion is very painful, although it only causes death when it bites children or people with serious health problems.
In Spanish-speaking countries there are also different species of scorpions, whose poisons have different levels of danger.Know certain types of scorpions by country.
In Argentina there are also several species of scorpions, some of them containing poisons that are dangerous to humans, while others produce only momentary effects.
Argentine Scorpion (Tityus argentinus)
It measures 8 centimeters and can be found in the north of the Argentine territory, is easily recognized for its appearance, its black prick, its bright yellow limbs and its grayish body, prefers to live in humid places and, although it does not normally attack humans, its bite is fatal because it affects the nervous system.
Grey Scorpion (Tityus trivittatus)
Argentina’s second most venomous scorpion is found not only in Argentina, where it is common in Corrientes and Chaco, but also in Brazil and Paraguay.He prefers to live in the bark of trees and wooden constructions because he likes moisture.grey, with tweezers and a yellow tail and tips that vary between a very light yellow and white. The venom is very dangerous and is considered more potent than that of a rattlesnake, making it fatal in humans, if the urgency does not resolve quickly.
Also meet the most venomous snakes in Brazil in this peritoAnimal article.
In Mexico, there are several types of scorpions that are toxic to humans, including:
This type of scorpion inhabits not only In Mexico, but also in Honduras, Cuba and Panama, among other countries, measures between 10 and 15 centimeters and its color varies greatly, can be found in dark tones close to black or very intense brown, with coloration at the ends that can be reddish, light brown or grayish.The bite can cause vomiting, tachycardia and shortness of breath, among other symptoms, but if the bite is not treated early, it results in death.
It is one of the most poisonous scorpions in Mexico and the world, measures between 10 and 12 centimeters and has a more intense brown color in the tweezers, the poison causes death, attacking the respiratory system.
Considered one of the most venomous scorpions in Mexico, it is also possible to find it in some parts of Chile, it is difficult to identify because it has a very varied color, ranging from green to black, yellow and even reddish brown.causes death if not treated in time.
In Venezuela, there are about 110 different species of scorpions, only some of which are toxic to humans, such as:
Este tipo de escorpião mede apenas 7 milímetros e tem um corpo avermelhado, com a cauda preta e membros de cor clara. Pode ser encontrado não apenas na Venezuela, mas também no Brasil e na Guiana, onde prefere viver na casca de árvores e no meio da vegetação. A picada é mortal se não tratada a tempo e é potencialmente perigosa para as crianças, por isso é considerado um dos tipos de escorpião mais perigosos do país.
In Chile, it is also possible to find some species of poisonous scorpions, such as:
It is endemic to the Coquimbo region, where it lives among the sand dunes, unlike most scorpions, it prefers lower temperatures, so it usually makes holes to protect itself from heat, although its bite is not fatal, it can cause poisoning in people with allergies.
Its body is opaque orange in limbs and tail and lighter orange in the trunk, measures only 8 centimeters and lives in the Paposo desert, its bite is not fatal, but causes discomfort in allergic people.
Descubra a diferença entre cobra e serpente nesse artigo do Animal Expert.
In Spain there are few species of scorpions, and one of them is Buthus occitanus or common scorpion, already mentioned, among others that can be found:
It inhabits the entire Iberian peninsula and prefers to live in warm and humid areas, although its sting is comparable to that of a bee and therefore harmless, however, this can be dangerous for allergy sufferers.
It lives mainly in Extremadura and Andalusia.This scorpion is characterized by its brownish color similar to the bark of trees, where it prefers to live.The bite is not fatal for an adult human being, but it is dangerous for pets, children and allergies.
These are just some of the most toxic scorpion species that exist.In other countries, such as Bolivia, Uruguay and Panama, there are also different types of scorpions, but their bites are not dangerous, although specimens of previously mentioned species, such as Tityus trivittatus, can also be found.
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