Scorpions are venomous athropods of the class Arachnida and are considered relatives of the
spiders, mites, ticks and harvestmen.
There are approximately 1,300 species of scorpions worldwide. The body of the scorpion is divided into two parts, the cephalothorax and the mesosoma or preabdomen. The cephalothorax contains all of the sensory, locomotion, and feeding appendages. Two pairs of chelicerae, positioned on either side of the mouth, allow the scorpion to rip and tear its prey while feeding. The pedipalps (pincers) are used for sensing as well as holding prey while envenomating or eating
Like all arachnids, scorpions have four pairs of jointed legs. Sensory hairs on the legs can detect the vibrations of prey up to 1 foot (30 cm) away.