Scorpions: Friend or Foe?

A Report for National Wildlife Magazine

By Landon Gumphrey

Figure 1: Emperor Scorpion

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………….....2
Problems Scorpions Pose to Humans……………………………………………………..…2
Risks of Venom………………………………………………………………………….2
Scorpion Envenomation………………………………………………………………..3
Steps to resolve this issue……………………………………………………………………..4
Conservation Agreements…………………………………………………………….4
Reducing Global Warming…………………………………………………………….4
Putting an educational plan into action………………………..……………………………...5
Scorpion Educational Curriculum……………………………………………………...5
Seen as Pests but Vital to the Environment………………………………………….5
Medical Aid………………………………………………………………………………6
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….7
Works Cited……………………………………………………………………………………...8

Figures
Figure1……………………………………………………………………………………………0
Figure2……………………………………………………………………………………………2
Figure3……………………………………………………………………………………………3
Figure4……………………………………………………………………………………………4
Figure5……………………………………………………………………………………………6
Figure6……………………………………………………………………………………………7
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Executive Summary
Scorpions are unique and fascinating creatures that many people view
negatively. For humans, at first sight of a scorpion, the dangers that these creatures
pose is the thing that comes to mind. While it is true that scorpions can be dangerous,
they are also helpful and play a vital role in the environment. In general, humans are
just as dangerous to scorpions as scorpions are to them. Humans should be educated
on how to better coexist with these animals. The sources below will be utilized to better
understand scorpions as a species and find out what should be done moving forward.

Problems Scorpions Pose to Humans

Risks of Venom
Scorpions are in fact venomous animals that have adapted to live in a wide range
of habitats around the world. Their prevalence along with their small size means
humans are at risk of being stung. Depending on the venom composition specific to a
scorpion or scorpions in a particular region, these stings can be lethal. In some places
around the world these stings are common enough to be considered a public health
problem (Petricevich). The venom that scorpions inject contain a combination of toxins
that can have detrimental effects on the nervous system. The venom is mostly
composed of inhibitors and neurotoxins that can do lots of damage. By chemically
interacting with the nervous system the injection of venom can change, “excitation of the
nerve and muscle, hormonal secretion, cell proliferation, sensory transduction, the
control of salt and water balance and regulation of blood pressure” (Petricevich). The
gravity of this damage can range from burning and pain, to full organ failure depending
on the scorpion, its victim, and the potency of the venom.

Figure 2: Tail with Venom

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Scorpion Envenomation
Envenomation is the physical injection process when venom is distributed by the
bite or sting of an animal. For scorpions, the use of the sting is primarily for predatory or
defensive purposes. While most of the time this is intended for smaller mammals and
insects, scorpions will sting humans if threatened. In the upper levels of severity of
cases of scorpion stings comes the possibility of tragedy. This is an infrequent
occurrence when people’s (usually children) bodies cannot handle the poison or be
treated fast enough and results in their death. These are the more extreme cases where
the envenomation causes inability to use multiple organs. A study using the venom of a
Brazilian Yellow Scorpion resulted in increased lung, kidney, liver, and heart
inflammation (Petricevich). To put the danger scorpions can pose into perspective, “The
estimated annual number of scorpion stings is 1.2 million leading to 3250 deaths
(0.27%). For every person killed by a venomous snake, 10 are killed by a venomous
scorpion.” (David Cheng). Though this is true for the world as a whole, the concentration
of scorpions particular to different regions plays a role as well. Taking the example of
Mexico compared to the United States, we see around one thousand deaths every year
in Mexico as opposed to four deaths in eleven years in the US (David Cheng). Though
not as common, these dangers are not to be taken lightly.

Figure 3: Scorpion Stinging Human Hand

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Steps to Resolve this Issue

Conservation Agreements
Simple things can be done to avoid confrontation and improve the human and
scorpion co-existence. Making sure to not leave things like boots, shoes, towels, or
other clothing items can reduce the possibility of scorpions hiding inside them. Making
sure to use gloves and shoes can protect unexpected stings. When it is dark, “A
portable black light (UV light) may be used to survey for scorpions in and around the
home. Scorpions glow brightly under black light and are therefore easily found and
removed” (How to Manage). Doing things like installing yellow lighting outdoors will
attract less insects which scorpions feed on. Doing this lowers the risk of a scorpion
finding its way into your home. Other prevention methods include: removing trash,
bricks, and any possible hiding spots, cut nearby tree branches, and making sure all
windows, pipes, or cracks are sealed. Following these conservational practices will help
provide a solution to protection other than having to use things like pesticide or
extermination companies. A good method of distributing this information would be an
educational program about scorpions and their interaction with humans.

Figure 6: Scorpion in Shoe Left Outside

Reducing Global Warming

Even just disregarding the good and the bad that comes along when discussing
scorpions, humans and scorpions should do their best to coexist with minimal negative
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impacts on one another. Keeping the encounters between humans and scorpions to a
minimum can also be changed by the effects of global warming. Since, “Scorpions are
thermophilic organisms. They are sensitive to weather and climate conditions, in such a
way the ongoing trends of increasing temperature and more variable weather could lead
to scorpionism spreading.” (Find and Share). This scorpionism described is the
accidental envenomation of humans by venomous scorpions. Taking action to reduce
climate change can further help keep scorpions from migrating as well as preserving
their current habitats. Adding awareness of climate change to a specific curriculum
could help manage the problem of scorpion migration.

Putting an Educational Program Into

Action
Scorpion Educational Curriculum
The implementation of an educational program will spread information to the
public about the safeties necessary when dealing with scorpions as well as defend the
benefits they provide. Participants will learn about the information previously described
about conservation agreements and global warming. These participants will be asked to
go forth and put these concepts into practice to help reduce the issue at hand. In
addition to these preventative measures and information on methods for people to
contribute, new light will be shed on the scorpion. This new light will show scorpions in a
more beneficial way to the environment and people as a whole. The curriculum will
include the two following sections regarding positives scorpions can provide.

Seen as Pests but Vital to the Environment

Most of the time scorpions are seen as pests and only their negative aspects are
taken into account. While these aspects are present without a doubt, many people
forget that they play a vital role in the environment. Scorpions are a predatory animal
and thus feed on different insects or small animals also considered to be pests.
Scorpions are also cannibalistic, and commonly fight and eat each other which keeps its
own population level in check (Scorpion Feeding). The outright removal of them from
the environment could cause spikes in the populations of other more common pests and
rodents which may pose more of a threat to the common person.
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Figure 4: Scorpion Eating a Yellow Jacket

Medical Aid
On top of scorpions helping bring balance to the environment they also are used
to make advances in the medical field. Medical uses for scorpion venom have been
seen in the fields of therapy, pain relief, and anti-biotics. For many types of scorpion, the
numbing effects seen when their venom is injected can be used to relieve pain and
understand how to effectively reduce it. To treat infections, some species of scorpion
have venom with antibacterial properties. Even early stages of cancer research has
found scorpion venom to be beneficial. Pryke writes, “…in recent years the unique
components of the scorpion’s venom have been shown to have anticonvulsant
properties, as well as having analgesic and antitumour properties which hold promise
for improved future treatments against cancer” (Louise Pryke). She goes on to explain
how venom has the potential for anticancer therapy and has been used to successfully
kill cancer cells in trials.
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Figure 5: Milking Venom for Medical Purposes

Conclusion
In short, there is no right or wrong way to view scorpions. They are dangerous as
well as vital and worth protecting. A good term to view the human and scorpion
interaction would be the word cautious. Since scorpions are nocturnal and ambush their
prey, they are not inherently hostile. Though this is true, if a human invades their space,
accidental stinging can occur. Most of the time these stings happen on the hands and
feet and can be easily avoided through wear of shoes or gloves and having an overall
awareness of your surroundings. The benefits scorpions provide in the environment and
the medical field make them a valuable animal rather than an unwanted pest as they
are often perceived. Overall, the knowledge and precautions taught to the people by the
educational program can be used to allow scorpions to be left alone and protect
humans at the same time.
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Works Cited
“Arachnology @ AMNH.” Why Scorpions? | Arachnology @ AMNH,
scorpion.amnh.org/page3/page3.html.
BreakingTrail. YouTube, YouTube, 17 Mar. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?
v=XFw_HRG8PvY.
David Cheng, MD. “Scorpion Envenomation.” Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology,
Medscape, 6 Dec. 2020, emedicine.medscape.com/article/168230-overview.
“Find and Share Research.” ResearchGate, www.researchgate.net/.
“How to Manage Pests.” UC IPM Online,
ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74110.html.
Organization. “Iranian Researchers to Breed Scorpion, Milk Venom for Medical
Purposes.” Tehran Times, 26 Jan. 2018,
www.tehrantimes.com/news/420697/Iranian-researchers-to-breed-scorpion-milk-
venom-for-medical.
“Passport to Texas.” Passport to Texas RSS, passporttotexas.org/scorpions-are-
beneficial-just-not-in-the-house/#:~:text=In nature, scorpions are highly,insects….
Petco. “Scorpion Care Sheet.” Petco, Petco, 30 Sept. 2017,
www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-
center/caresheets/scorpion-care-sheet.html.
Petricevich, Vera L. “Scorpion Venom and the Inflammatory Response.” Mediators of
Inflammation, Hindawi, 14 Mar. 2010,
www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/2010/903295/.
Pryke, Louise M. Scorpion.
“Scorpion Control and How to Get Rid of Scorpions.” Scorpion Control, How to Get Rid
Of Scorpions, www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/scorpions.htm.
“Scorpion Feeding and Hunting Techniques.” Scorpion Facts and Information,
www.scorpionworlds.com/scorpion-feeding/.
Scorpion’s Glow & 12 Other Facts About These Amazing Arachnids,
www.edibleinsects.com/scorpions-glow-12-other-facts-about-these-amazing-
arachnids/.