Whip scorpions facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Whip scorpions, vinegaroons Temporal range: Carboniferous–present PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Typopeltis crucifer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Clade:	Tetrapulmonata
Order:	Uropygi Thorell, 1883
Families
Thelyphonidae
Diversity
c. 27 genera, over 100 species
Synonyms
Thelyphonida Latreille, 1804 (as Thélyphone)

Whip scorpions are fascinating creatures that belong to the group of arachnids. They are also known as vinegaroons because of a special defense trick they have! These invertebrates look a bit like true scorpions, but they have a unique whip-like tail. When they feel threatened, they can spray a liquid that smells like vinegar. This liquid contains acetic acid, which is the same acid found in vinegar.

Scientists sometimes call these animals Uropygi or Thelyphonida. These names can refer to just the whip scorpions, or sometimes to a larger group that includes their close relatives, the Schizomida (short-tailed whipscorpions).

Discovering Whip Scorpions

Naming These Unique Arachnids

The first whip scorpion was described way back in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus. However, he didn't realize it was a new type of arachnid at the time. Later, in 1802, Pierre André Latreille gave them their own special name, Thelyphonus. This name comes from Greek words.

The name Uropygi was first used in 1883 by Tamerlan Thorell. It means "tail rump" in Ancient Greek. This name perfectly describes their body, which ends with a small plate called a pygidium and a long, whip-like tail. This tail is made of many small parts, like beads on a string.

Family Tree of Arachnids

Whip scorpions are part of a larger family of arachnids. They are closely related to Amblypygi (whip spiders) and Schizomida (short-tailed whip scorpions). All three groups were once thought to be a single order called Pedipalpi. Over time, scientists learned more and divided them into separate groups.

Scientists believe that whip scorpions and short-tailed whip scorpions likely started to become different species a very long time ago. This happened during the late Carboniferous period, in the tropical regions of the ancient supercontinent called Pangaea.

What Do Whip Scorpions Look Like?

Whip scorpions can be anywhere from 2.5 to 8.5 centimeters (1 to 3.3 inches) long. Most species are around 3 centimeters (1.2 inches). The largest species, from the genus Mastigoproctus, can grow up to 8.5 centimeters. Even though their bodies might not be huge, their legs, pincers, and whip-like tail make them look much bigger!

Their body is divided into two main parts. The back part, called the opisthosoma, has 12 segments. The last three segments are joined together to form the pygidium, which ends with their famous whip-like tail. This tail can have 30 to 40 small sections.

Like their relatives, whip scorpions use only six of their eight legs for walking. The first two legs are special. They act like antennae, helping the whip scorpion feel and explore its surroundings. They also have very large, scorpion-like pincers called pedipalps. These pincers have an extra large spine on them.

Whip scorpions have eyes on the front of their head, usually one pair in the middle and up to five pairs on each side. This eye pattern is similar to what you see on true scorpions.

Their Unique Defense: The Vinegar Spray

Whip scorpions do not have venom glands, so they are not venomous. However, they have special glands at the back of their abdomen. When they feel threatened, they can spray a mix of acetic acid and caprylic acid. The acetic acid is what gives the spray its strong, vinegar-like smell. This is why they are commonly called "vinegaroons"!

Whip Scorpion Behaviour and Life Cycle

Hunting and Diet

Mastigoproctus giganteus, a predator of millipedes

Whip scorpions are carnivorous hunters. They are active at night, searching for food. Their diet mainly consists of insects, millipedes, scorpions, and small land isopods. Sometimes, they also eat worms and slugs. Larger species, like Mastigoproctus, can even hunt small vertebrates. They catch their prey and crush it using special teeth located on the inside of their front leg segments.

Reproduction and Young

The reproduction process for whip scorpions is quite interesting. During courtship, the male holds the female's front legs with his mouthparts. He then creates a package of sperm, called a spermatophore, and places it on the ground. The female picks up this sperm package with her body. In some types of whip scorpions, the male helps push the spermatophore into her body using his pincers.

Mastigoproctus giganteus female with eggs

After a few months, the female digs a large burrow and seals herself inside. She can lay up to 40 eggs. These eggs are held in a special sac that keeps them moist. This sac stays attached to her body. During this time, the mother does not eat. She holds her abdomen arched upwards to keep the egg sac from touching the ground. The eggs slowly develop into tiny young inside the sac.

When the young hatch, they are white and climb onto their mother's back. They have special suckers that help them stick there. After their first moult (shedding their skin), they look like tiny adults, but with bright red pincers. At this point, they leave the burrow. The mother might live for up to two more years. The young grow slowly, shedding their skin four times over about four years before they become adults. They can then live for another four years.

Where Do Whip Scorpions Live?

Whip scorpions are found in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. You won't find them in Europe or Australia. There's only one known species in Africa, called Etienneus africanus, which lives in countries like Senegal and the Gambia.

These creatures usually dig burrows using their strong pincers. They often carry their prey back to these burrows. They also like to hide under logs, rotting wood, rocks, and other natural debris. They prefer places that are humid and dark, and they try to avoid light. However, some species, like Mastigoproctus giganteus (the giant whip scorpion), can be found in drier areas, such as Arizona and New Mexico.

Types of Whip Scorpions

All known living whip scorpions belong to one family, called Thelyphonidae. As of 2026, the World Uropygi Catalog recognizes 18 different groups, or genera, of whip scorpions:

Scientists have also found fossils of nine extinct genera of whip scorpions. Two of these extinct groups are part of the Thelyphonidae family:

• †Mesoproctus Dunlop, 1998
• †Mesothelyphonus Cai & Huang, 2017

The other seven extinct genera are not yet placed into a specific family:

• †Burmathelyphonia Wunderlich, 2015
• †Geralinura Scudder, 1884
• †Inmontibusichnus Knecht, Benner, Dunlop & Renczkowski, 2023
• †Parageralinura Tetlie & Dunlop, 2008
• †Parilisthelyphonus Knecht, Benner, Dunlop & Renczkowski, 2023
• †Proschizomus Dunlop & Horrocks, 1996
• †Prothelyphonus Frič, 1904

See also

In Spanish: Thelyphonida para niños