Whip Scorpion
Name: Whip scorpion / Vinegarroon
Size: Vinegarroons range from 25 to 85 mm in length, with most species not longer than 30 mm.
Habitat: Vinegarroons are found in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. They usually dig underground burrows with their pedipalps, to which they transport their prey They may also burrow under logs, rotting wood, rocks, and other natural debris. They enjoy humid, dark places and avoid the light.
Food: Vinegarroons are carnivorous, nocturnal hunters feeding mostly on insects , but sometimes on worms and slugs. They sometimes preys on small vertebrates. The prey is crushed between special teeth on the inside of the trochanters (the second segment of the leg) of the front legs. They are valuable in controlling the population of roaches and crickets.
Danger:
Vinegarroons have no poison glands, but they do have glands near the rear of their abdomen that can spray a combination of acetic acid and octanoic acid when they are bothered. The acetic acid gives this spray a vinegar-like smell, giving rise to the common name vinegarroon.
Some Links to information about whip scorpions:
- Whip Scorpions, David A Kendall BSc PhD.
Photo Credits:
Whip Scorpion - Justin Overholt (Public Domain)The information on this page was taken from Wikipedia under a GNU Free Documentation License unless otherwise noted.