Talk:Scorpion
From Academic Kids
The image (by T.HO) is not a real scorpion -- it looks like an origami thing or a computer-generated image. It is quite misleading to use it in this article - especially without any warning.
Jorge Stolfi 01:56, 7 May 2004 (UTC)
- I've replaced it with a public domain image of a real scorpion. Lupo 12:02, 10 Jun 2004 (UTC)
Alot of this page is wrong or lacking in detail so I'm going to redo most/all of it.--Fusion121 22:13, 6 Nov 2004 (UTC)
Pedipalps
Pedipalps: these are a pair of modified legs that have evolved into claws. The claws are used for primarily for prey capture, but also play an important part in the scorpion mating dance. The pedipalps are made of up of 6 segments. The claw itself consists of the upper fixed finger (tibia) and the lower moveable finger (tarsus). The size of the pedipalps is highly dependant on the species, however a general trend is that the more venemous the scorpion the narrower the pedipalps, as scorpions with less potent venom use their larger pincers to subdue prey.
I always thought that pedipalps were closer to antenna than legs. Perhaps they could be referred to as "modified appendages."
Please check accuracy of facts
The phrase "Unless molested, scorpions are perfectly harmless, and only make use of the sting for the purpose of killing prey. Generally, they will run from danger, or remain very still." is IMHO absolutely untrue. Many times when I was in the desert with friends scorpions ran to us. I saw twice a person sitting on a rock, and a scorpion coming from elswhere (not from under the rock) climb the rock and sting the guy's ass without provocation (I did warn them but they wern't paying attention). I knew a professor who also confirmed this, that scorps attack humans without provocation. Again, it might be that there was some circumstance which can be defined "molesting" or whatever, but I think these claims have to be checked. Www.jpfo.org
