Scorpion

A folded-paper scorpion illustration for the book covers.

Fold 3, ages 8 to 10FOLD3AGES 8–10Fold 3 · Early Reader
Ages 8–10

ScorpionClaws, Legs and a Tail

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Words to know

scorpion
clawed creature
abdomen
rear section
pincers
grasping claws
prey
hunted creature
night
after sunset
young
new scorpions
body
living form
light
lamp shine
A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.

Here is a scorpion with its pincers. Look at its legs and abdomen.

A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.
Mila Let's check its body plan.
Omar Check the legs, then the pincers.
A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.

Scorpions have eight walking legs. Their pincers are not extra legs.

A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.

Scorpions are kin to spiders, ticks and mites. But scorpions are not insects.

A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.

Scorpions grasp prey with their pincers. Their prey can be insects.

A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.

A scorpion grips prey with its pincers. It has a mouth as well.

A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.

Venom can stop a scorpion's prey. A sting, not the pincers, brings the venom.

A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.

Many scorpions can crush some prey with their pincers. They can do this with no sting.

A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.

A scorpion uses juices on its prey. Then it takes in liquid, not the solid bits.

A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.

A scorpion's tail is in its abdomen. It is the thin back end of the body.

A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.

A scorpion has a sting at the tip. Its venom can help it fend off an attack.

A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.

A scorpion has a stiff case on its body. Soft bits are inside this case.

A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.

Most scorpions are active at night. Some are active when it is not night.

A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.

Many scorpions hide when the sun is up. A rock or a hole can hide them.

A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.

Scorpions live in forests, grasslands and deserts. Not all scorpions live in all these places.

A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.

Hairs on its legs help a scorpion detect shakes. A bug can make the ground shake as it runs.

A UV-illuminated paper scorpion illustrates fluorescence.A UV-illuminated paper scorpion illustrates fluorescence.A UV-illuminated paper scorpion illustrates fluorescence.

Scorpions can glow in UV light. The glow can look blue-green.

A UV-illuminated paper scorpion illustrates fluorescence.A UV-illuminated paper scorpion illustrates fluorescence.A UV-illuminated paper scorpion illustrates fluorescence.

UV light shines on the scorpion to make that glow. It does not shine like a lamp by itself.

A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.

Scorpions can hunt and can be prey. Bats and birds can hunt scorpions.

Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.

Scorpions give birth to live young. The young ride on their mother's back.

Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.

Young scorpions get big and shed their body case. This shedding is called a molt.

Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.Paper newborn scorpions ride on a representative mother.

The mother gives the young a place to ride. The young on its back do not attack it.

A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.

Let scorpions go; do not touch them. Give a scorpion space as you look at it.

A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.A paper scorpion illustrates undisturbed wildlife with space around it.

A scorpion's hiding place is not for your hands. Look at a scorpion in a book, not up close.

A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.A paper scorpion holds illustrative insect prey in its pincers.

Scorpions hunt insects; bats hunt scorpions. Can you link all three?

Mila Tell us that link.
A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.A paper scorpion illustrates a night-active scene.

What do most and many tell us? Not all scorpions do the same things.

Omar Let's ask as we go!

Quick quiz

  1. How many walking legs?

    Show the answer

    Eight.

  2. What grasps prey?

    Show the answer

    Pincers.

  3. Which light makes glow?

    Show the answer

    UV.

  4. Where do young ride?

    Show the answer

    Mother's back.

  5. Should we touch scorpions?

    Show the answer

    No.

A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.A paper scorpion illustrates its walking legs and pincers.

Scorpion pincers grasp; a sting brings venom. Look at its body, but do not touch it.

The end

Scorpion: Claws, Legs and a Tail

See the printed pages
Front cover of Scorpion: A Life After Dark, Fold 4The next fold upScorpion: A Life After DarkFold 4 · Explorer · Ages 10–12 All six books

For grown-ups

Share the pictured Story Words before independent reading. UV means ultraviolet, a kind of light; say the two letter names. Ask the reader to distinguish walking legs from pincers in the art, and to notice most, many and some. Different kinds of scorpions do not all share the same habits or habitats. Discuss a photograph or watch from a distance: never touch a scorpion or reach into its shelter. Page 31 is an art-supported anatomy and care page, not a labeled scientific diagram.

Build independent reading with short sourced explanations.

Ages
8–10
Trim
6 × 9 in
Pages
32
Words
458
Reading grade
2.0
See the printed pages

From the scorpion episode of our video series.