Emperor Black Scorpion
Emperor Black Scorpion
1. They inhabit coastal countries of West Africa from Senegal to Congo and Gabon. They live in hot, humid rain forests. They live in burrows that they dig in the soil (often under rocks, logs, or tree roots).
2. Emperor black scorpions are the largest, but not the longest, of the scorpion species. The body, including the tail, can reach up to 6.5 inches in length. Its weight varies, but can be up to 1.1 ounces.
3. Emperors are glossy black, but can be dark brown to green. The stinger and claws can also be red colored. Their overall color gets darker after each molt. This dark coloring also acts as camouflage.
4. Whitish membranes connect the various body segments and expand in pregnant females.
5. They have large fat pinchers, 4 pairs of legs, and a long tail tipped by a venom gland and a stinger.
6. Comb-like structures behind their 4th pair of legs are used to sense the texture of the ground. These structures are larger on males than females. Like all scorpions, they use sensory hairs to detect ground and air vibrations. They have poor eyesight, good hearing, and a good sense of touch.
7. Scorpions grow and shed their entire exoskeleton several times before they are full grown. As adults, they are hard to distinguish from a distance, since males and females act and look similar. Males can be smaller and narrower.
8. There are two fin-like projections underneath the scorpions. They are called pectines. Males have larger pectines than females.
9. The male is generally smaller than the female, and thus is in danger of being eaten after the mating process. During the mating process he holds her pinchers tightly and moves around, pulling her with him until he finds a good spot to place his sperm sac. He then pulls the female over the sperm sac and she takes it in through her genital pore. After 7 to 9 months she gives birth to up to 35 young. The young promptly crawl onto her back and remain there, under her protection for some time. Afterwards, the young may stay together in groups to better avoid predation. They will reach maturity in about 3 years.
10. Scorpions nestle in burrows that they dig in the soil. They also dig under rocks, logs, or tree roots. They are sensitive to light, so they are primarily nocturnal.
11. As they lie in wait, potential prey creates vibrations the scorpions can sense. They quickly strike with the stinger or grasp the victim. Larger emperor scorpions rarely use their stinger to capture prey; instead they crush it with their claws. Smaller and younger ones rely on their stingers to subdue their prey. Scorpions must predigest their food before they consume it. Once subdued, they secrete digestive enzymes onto the prey which liquefies it.
12. Certain scorpions have been known to live for a year without food by slowing down their metabolism. They get all the water they need from their food.
13. They can not only endure blistering heat, but can survive being cooled to below freezing.
14. They do glow in black light. They are in the same class (Arachnida) as spiders, ticks and mites.
15. They have 2 venom glands which empty out through tiny pores on each side of the sharp spine (called the “stinger”). Muscles squeeze the glands against the exoskeleton, forcing the venom out through the stinger.
16. The pectines are always touching the ground and act as sensory organs. They can pick up vibrations.
17. The emperor black scorpion is also known as the “imperial scorpion.”
18. Scorpions are ancient arachnids, having been on Earth for over 400 million years.
19. To conserve energy in times of famine (food shortages), scorpions can slow down their metabolism. They do not need to drink water, since they get all they need from their food. Their feces consists of a dry, powder-like substance.
20. Even though they are cold-blooded, scorpions can be cooled to below freezing, or endure the blistering heat of the desert.
21. The sting of most scorpions is only as harmful as a bee sting. Even though large, heavy, and terrifying in appearance, the emperor’s sting is not lethal (deadly).
22. Scorpions are in the same family as spiders, ticks, and mites. They are not insects.
23. Emperor black scorpions are popular as pets because of their docile (calm) nature.
24. Emperor scorpions fluoresce to a greenish-blue under black UV lights.
25. All scorpions are viviparous, which means they give live birth!
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