IN A LETTER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3250, 9 April 1943, Page 8

IN A LETTER

BABY SCORPION FOUND VISITOR FROM ISLANDS STING IS SELDOM FATAL A resident of New Plymouth, received a surprise when a fero-cious-looking scorpion dropped out of a letter received recently from a soldier in the South-west Pacific. ’ The baby scorpion, which is about half-an-inch long, is -one of 200' species which inhabit warm countries in both hemispheres. It has four pairs of walking legs and two tenacious pincers, with which it grips it prey. The most striking feature of this insect is the abdomen, consisting of .12 segments, of which five form a narrow tail that is curled over the back when the creature runs. f The tail, the most formidable part of the body, ends in a sting, containing a paired gland from which the poison flows. When the scorpion strikes it suddenly straightens the tail, bringing the point, usually upturned, down sharply. It can also

bend the sting forward to poison an •insect held in its claws.

During the daytime the scorpion shelters under stones and in crevices, but at night conies out to seek its prey. Insects and spiders form the main part of its diet. These are stung and then sucked. The scorpion, however, does not poison either itself or any other of the species.

Sensitive To Sound

When bringing her young out into the open the mother scorpion shelters them under her body, or carries them about with her. The scorpion when alarmed or. irritated shows some fierceness, moving its tail threateningly. Another interesting fact is that this creature is very sensitive to sound, musical or otherwise. Universally disliked, and not a little dreaded, they hide in beds, pillows, shoes and other articles, so that accidents are very frequent in countries where, they abound. Their sting is seldom fatal, but is very painful, and the sting of the largest species is much more severe.