Scorpions are fearsome arachnids that are known for their dangerous sting and for being effective hunters. Because of these traits, some may forget that scorpions are still part of the food chain themselves.
Believe it or not, there are actually creatures out there that are capable of turning scorpions into their next meal.
So, if you’re curious as to what these creatures could be, here’s a guide that explores just that. These are just some of the animals and insects that pose a threat to the scorpion.
What are you waiting for? Let’s take a look at these scorpion predators!
Common Scorpion Predators
Some of the most common organisms that eat scorpions are mammals, birds, and arthropods. This list can get quite long, so let’s look at each of these scorpion predators in depth.
Meerkats
Meerkats have a reputation for being small, adorable creatures, but they attack scorpions with ease. These are very smart animals that have even developed their own hunting method that they pass from generation to generation.
When hunting for scorpions, the meerkat monitors the movements of the arachnid. They’ll then wait patiently until they have the opportunity to strike the scorpion’s tail so that it won’t be able to attack with its venom. In addition to their smart hunting strategy, the meerkat also has a high resistance to scorpion venom and can tolerate the scorpion’s attacks.
Shrews
Another surprising mammal that can win in a fight against a scorpion is the shrew. These animals are fast and vicious. When engaged in battle with a scorpion, the shrew uses its lightning-fast reflexes to dodge the oncoming attacks from the scorpion’s tail.
Once it finds its window of opportunity, the shrew uses its sharp teeth to attack the scorpion. The scorpion may be able to hold its own for a bit, but the shrew will inevitably win due to its speed and ferocity.
Mongooses
The mongoose isn’t afraid of poisonous prey. In fact, mongooses attack and eat several different kinds of poisonous creatures that many other mammals wouldn’t dare approach. One of these is the scorpion.
Like the meerkat, the mongoose is highly resistant to scorpion venom. They can take quite a few stings before they feel like they need to give up on the hunt. Mongooses are also very quick and smart, so they watch the scorpion’s movements carefully while dodging the oncoming attacks. Once they’ve gotten a feel for the scorpion’s attack, they strike and kill in a matter of seconds, making mongooses a deadly predator to scorpions.
The Southern Grasshopper Mouse
The southern grasshopper mouse is an interesting predator due to a unique defense system that has helped it to adapt to the scorpion’s sting.
The body of this small mouse contains a protein that interacts with the venom and prevents the pain signals from ever reaching the brain. This allows them to continue fighting the scorpion while being stung. In addition to the pain-blocking mechanism, scientists also believe that the venom and this protein combine to help them combat other forms of pain. Without the sensation of pain, the scorpion stands little chance against this predator.
Owls
While they aren’t immune to scorpion venom like the previous animal, owls are powerful predators that hunt quickly, silently, and accurately, often doing so in the dead of night.
Because the owl is so accurate and so swift when it strikes, it’s able to grab a scorpion without having to fight it. The owl’s powerful beak makes quick work of the arachnid. Most scorpions simply can’t put up a fight against the hunting skills of the owl.
The Southern Ground Hornbill
The southern ground hornbill is a rare bird that is native to Africa. These are the heaviest and largest of the hornbill species, making them worthy adversaries. This bird will use its large beak to attack the scorpion and weaken it. Once the scorpion has stopped fighting and can no longer attack, the hornbill swallows the scorpion with ease.
To give you a better idea of why this bird has no issue attacking scorpions, some of its other prey includes tortoises, snakes, and even smaller monkeys.
Bats
Bats are extraordinary creatures. Besides being immune to scorpion venom, bats have great hearing and can actually hear the scorpions moving around. They also have fantastic vision and can see scorpions on the ground in the dark locations where they live.
Because they’re immune to venom and are easily able to locate scorpions, even in the dark, bat attacks are very effective. Scorpions have to be extra wary of these creatures as some bats live off scorpion-based diets.
Tarantulas
Even though tarantulas and scorpions are both arachnids, this doesn’t mean that they get along. In fact, tarantulas and scorpions are common enemies. It shouldn’t be surprising that tarantulas often emerge as the winner in battles between the two.
Tarantulas have larger bodies and other physical advantages over scorpions, such as large fangs filled with poison and a hairy body that gives the tarantula better sensory abilities. With their strength and speed, tarantulas can easily attack scorpions.
The Amazonian Giant Centipede
The centipedes that we often see in America are no match for the Amazonian giant centipede, which can be found in South America and the Caribbean. These large centipedes can grow to a minimum of 1 ft. (30 cm) in length. They have extremely deadly venom and aggressive behavior that makes these critters a worthy opponent for almost any animal.
Scorpions are just one of the insects and animals that this centipede feasts on. It can attack snakes as long as itself and has a hard shell that protects it against attacks. So, it’s no surprise that scorpions don’t fare well against the Amazonian giant centipede.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, there are quite a few animals and insects out there that can hold their own against scorpions. Have you been wondering about what eats scorpions? If so, the information above can help you learn more about the kinds of scorpion predators that are out there.
But if you want to go one step back on the food chain and are wondering what do scorpions eat, visit our article here.
