Whip scorpion is the name of about 75 species of scorpionlike animals. Most are dark red and have a flattened, elongated body. They have a large pair of grasping appendages near the mouth, called pedipalps, that have many sharp spines and are used to hold and crush insect prey. The first pair of walking legs are elongated and are modified into slender feelers. At the end of the abdomen is a whiplike sensory structure called a flagellum.
Whip scorpions are nocturnal. During the day, they live in crevices in rocks, under stones, and under rotten logs and plant debris. Most species live in the tropics and subtropics, especially of Asia. The largest species is the vinegarroon of the southern United States and Mexico. It gets its common name from the habit of the group to defend themselves by squirting strong-smelling liquid that quickly evaporates.
See also Arachnid.
