Giant Whip Scorpion

Description:

The only whip scorpion found in the United States is the giant whip scorpion, Mastigoproctus giganteus giganteus (Lucas). The giant whip scorpion is also known as the 'vinegaroon' or 'grampus' in some local regions where they occur. To encounter a giant whip scorpion for the first time can be an alarming experience! What seems like a miniature monster from a horror movie is really a fairly benign creature. While called a scorpion, this arachnid has neither the venom-filled stinger found in scorpions nor the venomous bite found in some spiders. One very distinct and curious feature of whip scorpions is its long thin caudal appendage, which is directly related to their common name "whip-scorpion." The common name 'vinegaroon' is related to their ability to give off a spray of concentrated (85%) acetic acid from the base of the whip-like tail. This produces that tell-tale vinegar-like scent. The common name 'grampus' may be related to the mantis shrimp, also called the grampus. The mantis shrimp is a marine crustacean that can deliver a painful wound with its mantis-like, raptorial front legs. Often captured with shrimp during coastal trawling, shrimpers dislike this creature because of the lightning fast slashing cut mantis shrimp can deliver to an unsuspecting finger during sorting of the shrimp from the by-catch. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc...

Habitat:

Forest