If you have lived in Arizona for a while, you have probably seen or heard about scorpions. They are arachnids with pincers and a tail containing venom. Scientists have recently discovered that scorpions have metal inside their bodies.
Scientists said the metal is mainly in the scorpion’s weapons, which makes its stinger and tail stronger. According to Sam Campbell, “Scorpions are incredible hunters, and while we know that metals strengthen the weapons in some species’ arsenals, we don’t know whether all scorpions’ weapons contain metal and, if so, whether this metal enrichment relates to how they hunt.”
They said that only a tiny fraction of the 3,000 scorpion species have ever been examined for this trait. Researchers from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute analyzed 18 scorpion species using X-rays, electron microscopes, and lasers thinner than a human hair. These findings are interesting, to say the least.
When scientists examined scorpions for metal, they found it only in localized areas, including the tooth-like structures on the inner edge of the pinchers and the tip of the stinger. Most of the metal is zinc, which appears on the tip of the stinger, while iron is also found in their claws. The amount of metal also depends on the scorpion’s size, and there could be more insect species that contain metals in their arsenals as well.
“The work is an exciting step forward for scorpion biology,” says scorpion biologist Lauren Esposito. Esposito also adds, “This means that scientists will have a better understanding of how these ancient animals have survived for 450 million years.” Scorpions can be dangerous, but understanding this fact about them can make them even more interesting. So, if you see a scorpion that is not attacking you, it is helpful to know how these arachnids function in the wild.
