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ysabetwordsmithWhy are scorpion stings so painful? Metal stingers!
In the scorpion stingers, the researchers found zinc at the tip of the needle-like structure. But many of the scorpions had a sharp transition to manganese below this point.
Meanwhile, in the outer part of the pincers, called the tarsus, the researchers found zinc. In addition, some scorpion pincers also contained iron. Interestingly, the metal only reinforced the cutting edge of the pincer. That’s the side of the tarsus that endures the most stress from struggling prey.
Well no, it's the venom that makes a sting painful. The metal is there for structural support and armor-piercing capacity. Many scorpions hunt primarily chitinous prey and need a way to defeat that armor. It's also why some larger scorpions can sting through heavy cloth or even leather. O_O
Anyhow, this has terrific potential for speculative fiction and speculative evolution. So don't tease people who design species with metallic components, because there is hard science behind how some extant wildlife uses metal.
In the scorpion stingers, the researchers found zinc at the tip of the needle-like structure. But many of the scorpions had a sharp transition to manganese below this point.
Meanwhile, in the outer part of the pincers, called the tarsus, the researchers found zinc. In addition, some scorpion pincers also contained iron. Interestingly, the metal only reinforced the cutting edge of the pincer. That’s the side of the tarsus that endures the most stress from struggling prey.
Well no, it's the venom that makes a sting painful. The metal is there for structural support and armor-piercing capacity. Many scorpions hunt primarily chitinous prey and need a way to defeat that armor. It's also why some larger scorpions can sting through heavy cloth or even leather. O_O
Anyhow, this has terrific potential for speculative fiction and speculative evolution. So don't tease people who design species with metallic components, because there is hard science behind how some extant wildlife uses metal.
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Date: 2026-05-07 07:23 pm (UTC)Wow!
Date: 2026-05-07 07:30 pm (UTC)