Types / Species of Scorpions

Scorpions are part of the order Scorpiones and the class Arachnida. They are invertebrates that possess eight legs, and a two-segmented body composed of the cephalothorax and the abdomen. This is the classification of scorpions: Kingdom Animalia (Animals); Phylum: Arthropoda (Arthropods); Subphylum: Chelicerata; Class: Arachnida (Arachnids); and, Order: Scorpiones (Scorpions). Current records show that there are nineteen families, nine subfamilies, sixty-six genera, and one thousand five hundred twenty scorpion species known.

The largest of the scorpion families is the Buthidae with seven hundred and forty seven scorpion species in existence. These live mostly in tropical, subtropical and partly in temperate habitats, excepting New Zealand and Antarctica.

Seventy-nine scorpion species, belonging to Hemiscorpiidae, are known to inhabit all continents, particularly in tropical and subtropical habitats, with the exception of North America. Some of the world's largest scorpions belong to Scorpionidae family, which has a total of two hundred forty three scorpion species. Included in this family is the Pandinus Imperator - the emperor scorpion, one of the largest scorpion species known. Another giant is the Heterometrus swammerdami, which can reach lengths of twenty centimeters.

In general, scorpions are dangerous. All species have venom to kill or paralyze prey. It varies for humans since some experience nothing more than a kind of numbness due to the sting, while others can die due of the poisonous venom.

One scorpion that should be avoided at all costs is the Australian Androctonus australis. Also known as the fat-tailed scorpion, it is lethal to humans since it kills with quantity: injecting plenty of venom into its victim.

Some of the desert scorpion species, like the Desert Hairy Scorpion (Hadrurus hirsutus), have been adopted as pets. However, this is a fairly aggressive scorpion that emits painful stings.

Some of the Superstitioniids, which has no more than 10 known species, lack eyes and pigments and are known to inhabit subtropical Mexico.

Below are types of scorpions covered in greater detail in subsequent sections:

• Albino Scorpions found in or around caves are eyeless.
• the Scorpion is known for its venomous sting, which can be lethal, especially for small children.
• the Black Scorpion or the Asian Forest Scorpion, is a resident of tropical Asian regions
• Blue Scorpions are found throughout most parts of the world, except Europe
• Emperor Scorpions are one of the earth's oldest species
• Deathstalker Scorpion are also known as "Gold Scorpions"
• the Lesser Brown Scorpion lives in tropical areas worldwide especially in Hawaii
• Pseudo Scorpions are actually arachnids
• Red Claw Scorpions can cause death to children
• the Red Scorpion is extremely dangerous
• Sand Scorpions prefer the dry sands of the southwest
• Tailless Whip Scorpions resemble a cross between the a scorpion and a spider
• Whip Scorpions are carnivorous and nocturnal