Editing Scorpion (section)

===Mortality and defense===

Scorpions may be attacked by other arthropods like ants, spiders, [[solifugids]] and [[centipede]]s. Major [[predator]]s include frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, and mammals.{{sfn|Stockmann|2015|pp=36–37}} [[Meerkat]]s are somewhat specialized in preying on scorpions, biting off their stingers and being immune to their venom.<ref name=ms>{{cite journal |title=''Suricata suricatta'' |journal=Mammalian Species |issue=483 |pages=1–8 |date=1994 |last=Van Staaden |first=M. J. |jstor=3504085 |doi=10.2307/3504085 |url=http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-483-01-0001.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315210848/http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-483-01-0001.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thornton |first1=A. |first2=K. |last2=McAuliffe |date=2006 |title=Teaching in wild meerkats |journal=Science |volume=313 |issue=5784 |pages=227–229 |doi= 10.1126/science.1128727 |pmid=16840701|bibcode=2006Sci...313..227T |s2cid=11490465 |url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/cd30/5c0e32d229d45a2350db58e9ab79ce48761c.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226141432/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/cd30/5c0e32d229d45a2350db58e9ab79ce48761c.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 February 2020 }}</ref> Other predators adapted for hunting scorpions include the [[grasshopper mouse]] and [[desert long-eared bat]], which are also immune to their venom.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thompson |first1=Benjamin |title=The Grasshopper Mouse and Bark Scorpion: Evolutionary Biology Meets Pain Modulation and Selective Receptor Inactivation |journal=The Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education |date=June 2018 |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=R51–R53 |pmid=30057511 |pmc=6057761 }}</ref><ref name="Predator of Scorpions"/> In one study, 70% of the latter's droppings contained scorpion fragments.<ref name="Predator of Scorpions">{{Cite journal | last1=Holderied | first1=M. | last2=Korine | first2=C. | last3=Moritz | first3=T. | title=Hemprich's Long-eared Bat (''Otonycteris hemprichii'') as a Predator of Scorpions: Whispering Echolocation, Passive Gleaning and Prey Selection | journal=Journal of Comparative Physiology A | volume=197 | issue=5 | pages=425–433 | year=2010 | doi=10.1007/s00359-010-0608-3| pmid=21086132 | s2cid=25692517 }}</ref> Scorpions host parasites including [[mite]]s, [[scuttle flies]], [[nematode]]s and some bacteria. The [[immune system]] of scorpions gives them resistance to infection by many types of bacteria.{{sfn|Stockmann|2015|pp=38, 45}}

When threatened, a scorpion raises its claws and tail in a defensive posture. Some species [[stridulate]] to warn off predators by rubbing certain hairs, the stinger or the claws.{{sfn|Stockmann|2015|pp=36–37}} Certain species have a preference for using either the claws or stinger as defense, depending on the size of the appendages.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=van der Meijden |first1=A. |last2=Coelho |first2=P. L. |last3=Sousa |first3=P. |last4=Herrel |first4=A. |year=2013 |title=Choose your Weapon: Defensive Behavior is Associated with Morphology and Performance in Scorpions |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=8 |issue=11 |page=e78955 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0078955 |pmid=24236075 |pmc=3827323 |bibcode=2013PLoSO...878955V |doi-access=free }}</ref> A few scorpions, such as ''[[Parabuthus]]'', ''[[Centruroides margaritatus]]'', and ''Hadrurus arizonensis''<!--linked above-->, squirt venom in a narrow jet as far as {{convert|1|m|ft|sp=us}} to warn off potential predators, possibly injuring them in the eyes.{{sfn|Stockmann|Ythier|2010|p=90}} Some ''[[Ananteris]]'' species can [[autotomy|shed parts of their tail]] to escape predators. The parts do not grow back, leaving them unable to sting and defecate, but they can still catch small prey and reproduce for at least eight months afterward.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mattoni |first1=C. I. |last2=García-Hernández |first2=S. |last3=Botero-Trujillo |first3=R. |last4=Ochoa |first4=J. A. |last5=Ojanguren-Affilastro |first5=A. A. |last6=Pinto-da-Rocha |first6=R. |last7=Prendini |first7=L. |year=2015 |title=Scorpion Sheds 'Tail' to Escape: Consequences and Implications of Autotomy in Scorpions (Buthidae: ''Ananteris'') |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=10 |issue=1 |page=e0116639 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0116639|pmid=25629529 |pmc=4309614 |bibcode=2015PLoSO..1016639M |s2cid=17870490 |doi-access=free }}</ref>