Whip Scorpions (dead :( )

Description:

Thelyphonida is an arachnid order comprising invertebrates commonly known as vinegaroons (or vinegarroons). They are often called uropygids in the scientific community after the former order Uropygi (which originally also included the order Schizomida). They are such a unique creatures also known as whip scorpions because of their resemblance to true scorpions and because of their whiplike tails. Whip scorpions range from 25 - 85 mm in length, with most species having a body no longer than 30 mm; the largest species, of the genus Mastigoproctus, reaching 85 mm. Because of their legs, claws, and "whip", though, they can appear much larger. Like the related orders Schizomida, Amblypygi, and Solifugae, the vinegarroons use only six legs for walking, having modified their first two legs to serve as antennae-like sensory organs. Many species also have very large scorpion-like pedipalps (pincers). They have one pair of eyes at the front of the cephalothorax and three on each side of the head, a pattern also found in scorpions. Vinegarroons have no venom glands, but they have glands near the rear of their abdomen that can spray a combination of acetic acid and octanoic acid when they are bothered. The acetic acid gives this spray a vinegar-like smell, giving rise to the common name vinegarroon. Vinegarroons are carnivorous, nocturnal hunters feeding mostly on insects and millipedes, but sometimes on worms and slugs. Mastigoproctus sometimes preys on small vertebrates. The prey is crushed between special teeth on the inside of the trochanters (the second segment of the "legs") of the front appendages. They are valuable in controlling the population of roaches and crickets.

Habitat:

This one was found in a tropical dry forest and unfortunately it was dead on the dusty road already half eaten by ants and you can see that its whiplike tail is missing:(.