Numbers
Worldwide: 23 families and 3,300 species
(1)
North America: 350+ species
(2)Identification
Small and flat with pedipalps in the form of pincers, but no stinging tail as with true scorpions.
Range
Worldwide, especially in the Northern hemisphere.
(1)Habitat
Leaf litter, under bark and stones, in caves, and in people's homes.
(2)Food
Most have poison glands in their pincers which they use to subdue small insects.
(3)Remarks
I've observed them running backwards with ease. I've also seen them attached to beetles, and I've read they do this to disperse to new locations (See photo below)
I remember them being abundant in the chicken houses I was responsible for while growing up and I assume they must have been feeding on bird lice.
Even though some have poison glands, they are not large enough to bite people.
(3)Contributed by
Troy Bartlett on 22 March, 2004 - 10:00pm
Additional contributions by
Chris WirthLast updated 1 October, 2005 - 2:07pm
