Scorpions or scorpions are very ancient arthropods that belong to the class Arachnida and the order Scorpiones. Their diet is carnivorous, they are good predators of insects, spiders, lizards and rodents, among others, and they can also devour each other. They are poisonous animals and, although the species that can really be lethal to people are not the majority, in some regions they become a public he alth problem due to unexpected encounters that eventually turn into fatal accidents due to the level of toxicity of their poison.
Do you want to know where scorpions or scorpions live? In this article on our site we talk about their distribution and types of habitats.
Distribution of scorpions or scorpions
The scorpions or scorpions are grouped into about 20 families and there are about 2,000 species or more. These animals, with the exception of the poles, have a wide global distribution, with a greater presence and diversity both in tropical and subtropical zones, decreasing as they get closer to the poles. In this sense, scorpions are distributed on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. Some of the most dangerous scorpions in the world are found in certain regions, such as Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, Mexico, the Middle East and Venezuela.
There are certain examples of scorpion species that have been introduced to regions where they were not originally native, such as Centruroides gracilis, which was introduced to the Canary Islands such as Tenerife, and Euscorpius flavicaudis in England.
Do scorpions live alone or in groups?
Scorpions are normally of solitary habits, so they live and move alone. The exception to this behavior occurs when it is time for mating, when momentary pairs are formed to reproduce. These animals tend to share a very common courtship process in the various species, so it is common to see them together at this time.
Despite being animals that live alone, it has been reported that the species Euscorpius flavicaudis cohabits in pairs, however, This occurs because the population is somewhat small and some individuals are distant from each other, so that, when individuals of different sexes coincide, if the female is not ready for mating, the male will become aggressive and protective against others. males, staying with her even in her hiding place until mating can occur.
Another case where more than one scorpion can be seen together is when the young are born. The mothers are quite protective of them and often wear them on their bodies until they can fend for themselves.
Habitat of the scorpion or scorpion
As we mentioned, scorpions have a very wide distribution and, although some species may prefer to inhabit arid zones, they are not exclusive to them, but can live in other types of ecosystems such as forests, areas with presence of humidity and temperate regions. Generally, these animals usually stay in shelters such as cracks, under rocks, logs or certain caves, and come out to breed or feed. It is also common for certain species to live in urban or rural areas occupied by human populations, even seeking refuge within homes.
Next, let's learn about the habitat of some species in order to better understand where scorpions live:
Striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus)
This species is distributed in both the United States and Mexico. It prefers moist and cool places, sheltering under leaves, logs, rocks and decaying vegetation; they also tend to take refuge in homes.
Common Yellow Scorpion (Buthus occitanus)
This species is present in North Africa, Spain, France and Portugal. It generally inhabits dry and warm rural areas, where there is no abundance of vegetation. It usually takes refuge under rocks.
South African Fat-tailed Scorpion (Parabuthus transvaalicus)
This type of scorpion lives in regions such as Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. As usual in these animals, it shelters in burrows, under rocks and logs in arid or semi-arid ecosystems of hot and dry conditions.
Florida Bark Scorpion (Centruroides gracilis)
Also known as the brown bark scorpion, tight or blue scorpion, it is a species that is distributed in countries such as Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Panama, Ecuador and the United States, among others, although in several of these it has been introduced. Their habitat is made up of tropical forests and urban areas, generally hiding under various types of natural or non-natural materials.
Mediterranean Scorpion (Mesobuthus gibbosus)
It takes place in regions such as Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Turkey and Yugoslavia. The habitat of this scorpion is varied, so that it is found, for example, in dry moors, with scarce vegetation and hot temperatures It can be found in mountainous areas and very near the sea, as well as in forests, hot and humid areas.
Nayarit Scorpion (Centruroides noxius)
It is originally from Mexico, although it is now present in other countries such as Chile. The habitat is characterized by dry and arid conditions, with sparse vegetation and sandy soils.
Red Scorpion (Tityus discrepans)
It is a species native to South America, from countries such as Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Venezuela. It develops mainly in woody areas, specifically in cracks and various types of plants. It can also be located in urban areas.
Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus spinifer)
Proper to Asian countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. It lives in humid forests or with the presence of abundant undergrowth. It usually burrows into the ground during the day.
Get to know all the types of scorpions that exist in this other article.
Examples of endemic scorpions or scorpions
As we have seen, scorpions inhabit various types of ecosystems, from arid to abundant vegetation, both at sea level and in mountainous areas. Many of them have been introduced into non-natural habitats, however, many others remain endemic to the countries where they live. Next, we show examples of endemic scorpions:
- Buthus elongatus: Spain
- Chaerilus ceylonensis: Sri Lanka
- Belisarius xambeui: Southeast Pyrenees
- Cyprus Scorpion (Mesobuthus cyprius): Cyprus
- Brazilian Yellow Scorpion (Tityus serrulatus): Brazil
- Hueque Scorpion (Tityus Falconensis): Venezuela
- Central brown scorpion (Vaejovis mexicanus): Mexico
- Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator): West Africa
Now that you know where scorpions or scorpions live and what their habitats are usually like, don't stop learning and check out these other articles:
- How do scorpions or scorpions reproduce?
- What do scorpions or scorpions eat?
