Scorpion Venom
Scorpion venom is used in a number of medical fields, including cancer research, and is usually harvested manually in a process that can be potentially deadly.
“This robot makes venom recovery fast and safe”, according to Mouad Mkamel, who designed the robot with a team of researchers from Ben M’sik Hassan II University, Morocco.
Read next
• Want to fix Brexit? The solution might be hiding in slime mould
Want to fix Brexit? The solution might be hiding in slime mould
By Bonnie Christian
“The extraction of scorpion venom is a very difficult task and usually takes at least two experimenters,” he added in a statement. “There are numerous risks including potentially deadly scorpion stings and electric shocks from the stimulators used to extract the venom.”
To make the entire process safer, the researchers designed VES-4, a lightweight, portable robot that can be used both in the lab and in the field.
“It is designed to extract scorpion venom without harming the animal and to provide more safety for the experimenters,” explains Mkamel.
Current scorpion-milking methods can be harmful both for the researchers, due to electric shocks from the equipment, and for the arachnid, where there is a risk of puncturing the venom gland or damaging the abdomen. The robot works by clamping the scorpion’s tail and electrically stimulating the creature so that it expresses droplets of venom, which are then captured and stored.
“VES-4 could be used by one person using a remote control to safely recover scorpion venom remotely,” says Mkamel.
Read next
• Bad results from drug trials no longer have a place to hide
Bad results from drug trials no longer have a place to hide
By Abigail Beall
The robot has been tested on multiple species of scorpions and can be programmed with specific settings for different species, with the information displayed on an LED screen.
For the uninitiated, we have gathered five of the lesser known, mind-boggling facts about scorpion venom below.
Scorpion Venom
Also provide a shallow, wide water dish. A sheet of cork bark or similar shelter should be added to the Malaysian Forest Scorpion’s enclosure. This species like it warm and humid. Keep the enclosure maintained at about at 75° – 90 °F with the humidity level at 75 to 80%A good habit to get into is cleaning up any uneaten prey items the day after feeding your scorpion as decaying organic matter commonly attracts mites, fungus, mold and other potentially harmful organisms into the enclosure.
If your pet has recently molted, remove uneaten prey items immediately. Newly molted scorpions are vulnerable until their exoskeletons hardens.
about scorpion venom
The deathstalker scorpion is one of the deadliest scorpions in the world. Its tail is full of powerful venom. A deathstalker scorpion’s sting is extremely painful and also causes paralysis, an inability to move or feel part of the body. The scorpion uses this venom to hunt insects such as crickets, which are its main food source.
The deathstalker scorpion catches its food by taking its prey by surprise. It hides under rocks in wait for an unsuspecting cricket or other small insect, then springs out and grabs it. Because its pincers aren’t very strong, it needs to sting its prey quickly to keep it from getting away. Within moments of being stung, the cricket is paralyzed or dead, giving the scorpion plenty of time to enjoy its meal.
about scorpion venom
The deathstalker scorpion is one of the deadliest scorpions in the world. Its tail is full of powerful venom. A deathstalker scorpion’s sting is extremely painful and also causes paralysis, an inability to move or feel part of the body. The scorpion uses this venom to hunt insects such as crickets, which are its main food source.
about scorpion venom
The deathstalker scorpion catches its food by taking its prey by surprise. It hides under rocks in wait for an unsuspecting cricket or other small insect, then springs out and grabs it. Because its pincers aren’t very strong, it needs to sting its prey quickly to keep it from getting away. Within moments of being stung, the cricket is paralyzed or dead, giving the scorpion plenty of time to enjoy its meal.
Scorpions Poisonous
Scorpions are nocturnal animals that live in tropical areas and deserts. They find shelter during the day in underground holes, beneath rocks and in burrows. At night, they venture out to hunt for food.Scorpions Poisonous Their primary predators are birds, centipedes, lizards, mice, possums and rats.
One undeniable fact is that scorpions are venomous. Their venom is the cause of widespread fear and at the same time, fascination. Most species possess a sting comparable to that of a bee sting, but a few scorpion species have a venomous sting that can be lethal to humans.
Scorpions are nocturnal animals that live in tropical areas and deserts. They find shelter during the day in underground holes, beneath rocks and in burrows. At night, they venture out to hunt for food. Their primary predators are birds, centipedes, lizards, mice, possums and rats.
Scorpions Poisonous
One undeniable fact is that scorpions are venomous. Their venom is the cause of widespread fear and at the same time, fascination. Most species possess a sting comparable to that of a bee sting, but a few scorpion species have a venomous sting that can be lethal to humans.
Scorpion Venom
