In the world there are over 2,500 different species of scorpion… About twenty-three of these are known to be dangerous to people

In California there are more than eighty species of scorpion. None of these are deadly to people (there is the possibility of an allergic reaction, this reaction is very rare and is not related to being allergic to bees). In the Antelope Valley we have three species of scorpiona with the most common of the three being the Desert Hairy Scorpion. The sting of the desert hairy scorpion is about like that of a wasp sting.

PEDIPALP (pincher)

The pedipalps or pinchers are actually the scorpions "jaws". They are attached in the front of the cephalothorax at the sides of the other mouth parts. It uses them to hold its prey while it is stinging or eating it. They are not very powerful and do not pinch hard. In true scorpions there is no venom in the Pedipalps.

CEPHALOTHORAX

The cephalothorax is the head and thorax of the scorpion. It has the eyes (two on top and three on each of the front sides of the cephalothorax making eight total eyes). On the bottom of the cephalothorax there are two feeling structures called "pectines". This is where the legs of the scorpion are attached.

PREABDOMEN

The Preabdomen is where the digestive and the cardiovascular and reproductive systems of the scorpion are located. It is covered with large, protective plates on the top.

POSTABDOMEN

The Postabdomen is a collection of small segments that are connected at the back end of the scorpion. At the end is the Telson (stinger). The purpose of the Postabdomen is the ability to maneuver the stinger in many different directions, to attack its prey and defend from its enemies.

TELSON (stinger)

The Telson is the last segment on the postabdomen. It has a sharp injecting needle that the scorpion uses to sting its prey (or attackers). It is not barbed like a bees stinger so that the scorpion can use its stinger over and over.