Scorpion Venom

Scorpion sting

A scorpion sting is an injury caused by the venomous stinger of a scorpion resulting in the medical condition known as scorpionism, which may vary in severity. The anatomical part of the scorpion that delivers the sting is called a "telson". In typical cases, scorpion stings usually result in pain, paresthesia, and variable swelling. In serious cases, scorpion stings may involve the envenomation of humans by toxic scorpions, which may result in extreme pain, serious illness, or even death depending on the toxicity of the venom.

Scorpion

Scorpions are predatory arachnids with eight legs, a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always ending with a stinger. The evolutionary history of scorpions goes back to the Silurian Period, approximately 430 million years ago. They mainly live in deserts but have adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. There are over 2,500 described species, with 22 extant (living) families recognized to date. Their taxonomy is being revised to account for 21st-century genomic studies.

Venom

Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered to other animals through a wound by means of a bite, sting or similar penetrative action, usually via a specially evolved venom apparatus, such as fangs or a stinger, in a process called envenomation. Venoms are often distinguished from poisons, which is passively delivered by being ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin; and toxungen, which is actively transferred to the external surface of another animal via a physical delivery mechanism.

scorpion

Noun

1. Any of the order Scorpiones of arachnids related to spiders, characterised by two large front pincers and a curved tail with a venomous sting at the end.
2. An ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles.

venom

Noun

1. An animal toxin intended for defensive or offensive use; a biological poison delivered by bite, sting, etc., to protect an animal or to kill its prey.
2. Feeling or speech marked by spite or malice; vitriol.

Verb

1. To infect with venom; to envenom; to poison.