Adult -1/2" – 8". Colour varies with species, from yellow to black. Easily distinguished by their pincers and a long, segmented tail bearing a stinger.
Lifecycle
Scorpions have a long gestation period (from 2-18 months). Each female bears 25-35 young which climb onto to the mothers back.
They remain on her back for a week or two after birth. Once they climb down they are independent, and take two to six years to reach maturity.
The average scorpion lives three to five years, but some species can live up to 10-15 years.
Habits
Most scorpions are nocturnal.
As well as in hot, dry areas, scorpions are found in grasslands, savannahs, caves and deciduous / mountain pine / rain forests.
Scorpion venoms affect the victim’s nervous system. Each species has a unique mixture.