Whip Scorpion: This Arachnid That Sprays Acid Has Been Found in Texas!

This insect resembles a combination of a scorpion and a spider, spray acid in order to safeguard themselves and for dinner, they feed on cockroaches - and now these insects have been discovered in Texas.

(Photo : Getty Images)

Whip Scorpion 

Last week, an arachnid, also referred to as a whip scorpion and even known as "land lobster," was spotted in Big Bend National Park, around the Chisos Basin campground. The park posted a picture of the insect on social media, much to the terror of users. 

As per park officials, summer rain makes vinegaroons emerge from their burrows. The insects, about three inches long, comes out during this period of year looking for "food and love."

The park said these creatures are "relatively benign unless you happen to annoy them."

These insects have the ability to pinch, and also shoot a "well-aimed" spray containing 85% acetic acid, or vinegar, from the bottom of their "whip." Both are forms of protecting themselves, but their spray is not known to be poisonous to humans.  

Also Read: Whip Spiders: Eight New Species Found In Amazon Rainforest

The Nocturnal Insect

The bug's name was derived from its ability to shoot vinegar from its tail. And the species that was discovered in Texas is the color black.

Vinegaroons are usually active at night, they also have bad eyesight and are most commonly seen in the desert. Generally, they hunt scorpions, millipedes, cockroaches, crickets, and other invertebrates with the use of their tiny front legs to sense vibrations. 

Sometimes females can be recognized by the hatchlings being held on their backs, almost the same as scorpions. Park officials said if you get lucky enough to spot one, look closely.

(Photo : Getty Images)

Features of Whip Scorpion 

Whip scorpion belongs to order Uropygi, at times Thelyphonida. They are any of roughly 105 species of the arthropod with class Arachnida that have similar looks as true scorpions except species that are larger posses a whiplike telson, or tail, that plays the role of an organ of touch and has no stinger.

The pedipalps, the second pair of appendages, are pricky pincers, and long feelers are the he third pair. Whip scorpions produce an irritating mist, which smells like vinegar in Mastigoproctus giganteus, the vinegarroon of the southern U.S and Mexico.

The vinegarroon, the largest of the whip scorpions, can develop to about 3.3 inches (85 mm) in length. The places they are most common are from India and Japan to New Guinea, although in the New World two genera occur.

Giant whip scorpion, Mastigoproctus giganteus (Lucas) is the only whip scorpion that can be seen in the United States. The giant whip scorpion is also referred to as a vinegaroon or grampus in some local places where they are found. It can be an alarming experience running into a giant whip scorpion for the first time. What appears like a small monster from a scary movie is actually a fairly benign creature. 

Related Article: New Species of Whip Scorpions Thrive Amid Bat Poop in Brazilian Caves

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