Over 100 fossil species of scorpion have been described. Whether the early scorpions were marine or terrestrial has been debated, though they had book lungs like modern terrestrial species. Scorpion fossils have been found in many strata, including marine Silurian and estuarine Devonian deposits, coal deposits from the Carboniferous Period and in amber. Palaeophonus nuncius, a Silurian fossil from Sweden Arabic ʕaqrab 'scorpion', Proto-Germanic *krabbô 'crab'). The word " scorpion" originated in Middle English between 11 AD from Old French scorpion, or from Italian scorpione, both derived from the Latin scorpio, equivalent to scorpius, which is the romanization of the Greek σκορπίος – skorpíos, with no native IE etymology (cfr.
A classical myth about Scorpius tells how the giant scorpion and its enemy Orion became constellations on opposite sides of the sky. Scorpius is the name of a constellation the corresponding astrological sign is Scorpio. Scorpion motifs are woven into kilim carpets for protection from their sting. Scorpions appear in art, folklore, mythology, and commercial brands. About 25 species (fewer than one percent) have venom capable of killing a human, which happens frequently in the parts of the world where they live, primarily where access to medical treatment is unlikely. The vast majority of species do not seriously threaten humans, and healthy adults usually do not need medical treatment after a sting. The exoskeleton contains fluorescent chemicals and glows under ultraviolet light. All known species give live birth and the female cares for the young as their exoskeletons harden, transporting them on her back. During courtship, the male and female grasp each other's pincers and dance while he tries to move her onto his sperm packet. The venomous sting is used for offense and defense. They use their pincers to restrain and kill prey, or to prevent their own predation. Scorpions primarily prey on insects and other invertebrates, but some species hunt vertebrates. Their taxonomy is being revised to account for 21st-century genomic studies.
There are over 2,500 described species, with 22 extant (living) families recognized to date. They mainly live in deserts but have adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. The evolutionary history of scorpions goes back 435 million years.
They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always ending with a stinger. Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones.
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