Scorpiones

Scorpiones is an order of arachnids that includes all scorpions. With around 1,500 to 2,000 described species, they occupy a wide range of habitats and climates. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, from deserts and savannas to tropical forests and caves. Most species are nocturnal predators that feed on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods, and occasionally small vertebrates.

Anatomy and physiology: Scorpions have two main body regions, the cephalothorax (prosoma) and the segmented abdomen (opisthosoma), ending in a curved metasoma that bears the telson, a bulbous segment containing venom glands and a sharp sting. They possess four pairs of legs and a pair of large pedipalps (chelae) used to grasp prey. The body is enclosed in a tough exoskeleton, and many species fluoresce under ultraviolet light due to a chemical in the cuticle. Most scorpions breathe through book lungs or lung-like structures adapted to their environment, and they have a relatively low metabolic rate that helps them survive in resource-scarce habitats.

Venom and defense: Venom is produced in the telson and used for prey capture and defense. Its potency varies widely among species; many scorpions deliver venom that is medically significant mainly to small animals, while only a small number of species pose serious risks to humans. Envenomation can be treated with medical care in many cases.

Reproduction and life cycle: Reproduction is sexual, often involving a courtship dance in which the male maneuvers the female into contact with his spermatophore. Females give birth to live young (viviparous) and typically carry them on their backs until after the first molt. Litter sizes range from a few to over a hundred, depending on species and conditions.

Ecology: Scorpions are effective nocturnal predators and play a role in controlling insect populations. Some species are adapted to arid environments or caves, while others are more generalist.