Last week, I fed one of the emperor scorpions we use in the insect outreach program I’m working with and I was surprised to see him grab the cricket with his claws, crush it, pop it into his mouth, and start chewing moments after I dropped the cricket in.  I hadn’t ever watched a scorpion eat up close before, so instead of a photo this week, I give you this short video so you can share my experience.  Note the movement of the mouthparts as he grinds up his meal:

How completely awesome is it to see those claws emerging from his head to help him pulverize and manipulate his food?  I was blown away!

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