ABSTRACT
There are 650 species of scorpions, that inhabit mild temperate to tropical climates throughout the world. Scorpions are predators, feeding on other scorpions, spiders, various insects, and worms. Scorpions are nocturnal and prefer to live where moisture is available. Scorpion venom is complex, consisting of a mixture of many pharmacologically active, neurotoxic proteins. Scorpion venoms are antigenic, with some closely related species crossreacting with each other. Antivenins are produced for the more highly venomous species. Definitive diagnosis of scorpion sting in an animal is rare. Veterinarians practicing in regions inhabited by highly venomous scorpions treat as stung animals that exhibit several of the signs recognized for scorpion sting in people. Prevention is difficult because of the ubiquitous sites in which scorpions conceal themselves in the daytime and their wanderings at night.
