How to Identify the Gender of a Scorpion

Related to spiders and ticks, scorpions belong to the Arachnida family. Scorpions are easily identifiable by their long, segmented abdomen and tail, known as the metasoma. The end of the tail holds the telson, which is a bulbous structure responsible for holding the scorpion's venom. At the end of the telson is the scorpion's stinger. Of nearly 2,000 identified species, up to 40 can cause potential harm to humans. Extreme caution should be taken when sexing scorpions to avoid accidental envenomation.

Things You'll Need

• Garden gloves
• Long-handled forceps
• Towel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Put on a pair of gloves and use your forceps to gently pick up your scorpion by its tail, close to its abdomen. Place the scorpion on a towel, with its back down and legs up.

   • 2

     Look for a comb-like structure, known as the pectines. Males tend to have larger pectines, states The University of Arizona. Males also tend to have more pectinal teeth than females.

   • 3

     Examine your scorpion's pincers and tail. Males have longer pincers and tails than females.

   • 4

     Observe the body of your scorpion. Females have meatier bodies, whereas males are thinner.