Scorpion

The scorpion belongs to the order of Scorpiones. Present on Earth for over 400 million years, it is one of the oldest arthropods still alive today. In Guadeloupe and tropical regions, scorpions mainly frequent humid forests, rocky areas, forest litter and shady environments. Globally, scorpions are not evaluated by the IUCN and are classified as Not Assessed (NE).

The scorpion's body is divided into two main parts: the cephalothorax and the abdomen, extended by a curved tail ending in a venomous sting. Its color varies between species, from light brown to deep black, which allows it to blend easily into its environment.

Scorpios are nocturnal animals. During the day, it hides under stones, in crevices or under dead leaves. At night, he becomes active and goes in search of food. It feeds mainly on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. This discreet lifestyle is reminiscent of that of other inhabitants of forest litter, such as the Centipede or Tailless whip scorpion.

Scorpion venom is primarily used to immobilize its prey. In humans, species found in the Antilles most often cause a painful but not serious sting for a healthy person. Scorpio never attacks without reason and seeks above all to avoid contact.

At the Guadeloupe Zoo, the scorpion makes it possible to approach the often unknown role of small invertebrates in the balance of tropical ecosystems, alongside species such as Stick insect or some ants foresters.