Scorpions are found throughout Texas and in many other parts of the globe. Worldwide, there are over a thousand kinds. They range in size from a half inch to over eight inches in length. About twenty species have venom toxic enough to cause human death.
A prehistoric creature, fossilized scorpions 400 million years old have been found preserved in rock, looking nearly identical to their modern-day relatives. Some of these old timers are thought to have been up to three feet long; not something youÕd want to meet in your backyard at night!
Scorpions were well known in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and one legend assigns the blame for the great hunter OrionÕs death to a scorpionÕs sting. Both Orion and the scorpion (the constellation Scorpius) were placed by the gods in the night sky, but Orion is seen in winter and Scorpius in the summer months to keep them separated. Look for Scorpius in the southern sky starting in July.
Scorpions are not insects, which have six legs. They are Arachnids, or relatives of spiders, having eight legs. Female scorpions produce living young which ride around on their motherÕs back up to 15 days after birth. Eating insects, spiders and small rodents and roaming at night, their life expectancy is three to five years. They have a pair of pincers at their head end, used to grasp food. The pincers donÕt inject venom. A scorpionÕs razor sharp sting is on its tail. (Yes, they sting; they donÕt bite.) When agitated, it raises its tail in a defensive display and strikes accurately in all directions. Unlike honey bees that lose their stinger when they attack, the scorpionÕs remains permanently attached like a hypodermic needle and its owner can sting multiple times.
An interesting fact is that all scorpions glow greenish in ultraviolet light, something that collectors use to their advantage by hunting them at night with a portable blacklight. Their glow makes them easy to spot.
Stings Are Usually Not Serious
Scorpion stings cause intense burning pain, minor swelling, numbness and tingling. The pain usually goes away within an hour, leaving a slight numbness and tingling that will ordinarily be gone within 24 hours. The venom, although it is a complex mixture of more than a dozen active chemicals, does no lasting tissue damage.
In rare instances when a person develops a serious reaction, the pain radiates toward the body, becoming especially severe in the armpits or groin areas where lymph nodes are located. Emotional agitation or anxiety may develop with fever, sweating, chills, numbness or swelling of the face, tongue and throat, and pain or tightness in the chest or back. Confusion, coma, convulsions and death may follow in isolated cases.
Texas Scorpions Are Generally Over Rated
In our area, scorpions are generally not something to greatly fear. Their sting, for most people, is about as painful as a bee or wasp sting and not life threatening. However, some folks swear the pain is as intense as hitting yourself on the thumb with a hammer! Placing a cool, moist cloth or ice cube on the sting will reduce pain. Some people apply a baking soda paste to the wound and others take antihistamines and Tylenol to alleviate swelling and pain.
Only One ÒDeadlyÓ Scorpion in Texas
In the United States, only one scorpion can inflict a fatal sting and it is dangerous only to infants, small children or hypersensitive people. Called a bark scorpion, they are found under the bark of dead trees and in wood or rock piles and crevices. They live in Arizona, adjacent areas of California, New Mexico and nearby Texas. Small, as scorpions run, bark scorpions are straw yellow in color, about two inches in length and are unable to inject enough venom to be deadly to an adult.
Remember, itÕs always a good idea to be careful walking at night and donÕt wander around bare footed even in the house. Scorpions have a limited sense of humor when you step on them. Since they like to hide in dark places, itÕs wise to shake out your shoes and clothing before you dress or you might encounter a short-tempered claim jumper. As is true with so many of lifeÕs problems, prevention is always the best cure.