Anatomy of a Scorpion
You might have noticed that scorpions have some of the same characteristics as a lobster or crab. Their pinchers are one of the similar features. It might not surprise you that both scorpions and lobsters are in the same group. They are both part of the Phylum Arthropoda. What might surprise you is scorpions are even more closely related to spiders. Both are part of the subgroup (Class) Arachnida. If you do some research, you will find that these animals share common characteristics, such as having eight legs. This is unlike insects that have six legs. This means that scorpions are not insects. However, insects are their favorite food.
Credits:
Arizona Bark Scorpion stinger by JAdams1776 via Wikimedia Commons.
Illustration released by Pearson Scott Foresman into public domain. Modified by Ask A Biologist.
Read more about: Not So Scary Scorpions
Bibliographic details:
- Article: Scorpion Anatomy
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 27 Jun, 2016
- Date accessed:
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/scorpion-anatomy
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Mon, 06/27/2016 - 13:54). Scorpion Anatomy. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/scorpion-anatomy
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "Scorpion Anatomy". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 27 Jun 2016. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/scorpion-anatomy
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "Scorpion Anatomy". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 27 Jun 2016. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/scorpion-anatomy
The stinger of an Arizona Bark Scorpion is not something you want experience.
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