escorpiões

Scorpions are arachnids belonging to the order Scorpiones. They are characterized by their eight legs, a pair of grasping pedipalps, and a segmented tail that often ends in a venomous stinger. Scorpions are found on every continent except Antarctica, inhabiting a wide range of environments from deserts and savannas to tropical rainforests and even mountains.

These ancient creatures have a fossil record dating back over 400 million years, indicating their successful adaptation to diverse ecological niches. Their diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, though some larger species may prey on small vertebrates. Scorpions are nocturnal hunters, using their pedipalps to sense vibrations and their venomous sting to immobilize prey.

The venom of scorpions varies greatly among species. While most scorpion stings are painful and can cause localized swelling and discomfort, some species possess venom potent enough to be medically significant to humans, and even potentially lethal in rare cases. Antivenoms are available for the stings of the most dangerous species.

Scorpions play a role in their ecosystems as predators, helping to control insect populations. They reproduce sexually, with the male depositing a spermatophore on the ground, which the female then picks up. The young, called scorplings, are born live and ride on the mother's back until their first molt.