Indiana Jones was right: The bigger the scorpion, the more harmless it is

A team of researchers tested Indiana Jones' famous quote about scorpions and it turned out to be true.

"When it comes to scorpions, the bigger the better," says Indiana Jones in the episode Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. As it turned out, Jones's knowledge was correct.

A team of researchers at the National University of Ireland put that idea to the test, finding that smaller scorpions with smaller claws have more powerful venom than larger species. According to the university, there are more than a million cases of people being stung by scorpions each year and thousands of deaths.

The smaller the scorpion, the more dangerous their venom is and vice versa.

The team analyzed 36 species of scorpions, including the death scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus), the rock scorpion (Hadogenes granulatus), the bark scorpion (Scorpion Centruroides noxius), the Israeli yellow scorpion (Scorpio maurus). . They found that the smallest species has a venom 100 times stronger than the largest species.

Their analysis included measurements of the scorpions' average length, as well as their venom potency. The results confirmed Jones' knowledge to be correct - the smaller the scorpions, the more dangerous their venom, and vice versa.

The Brazilian golden scorpion, usually 5-7.5 cm in length, has a venom 100 times stronger than the rock scorpion, which can reach up to 20 cm long.

Brazilian Golden Scorpion

Dr Healy said: 'When we looked at the deadliest scorpion venom, we found they tended to belong to species like the relatively small death scorpion. In contrast, the largest species such as stone scorpions have venom that causes only mild pain.'

Rock scorpion

However, it's not just body size - pairing size is also correlated.

For example, research found that the South African thick-tailed scorpion is 10 times more venomous than the Israeli golden scorpion, despite having significantly smaller pairs of claws.

South African thick-tailed scorpion

Alannah Forde, lead author of the study, said: "Not only did we find that the larger the scorpion, the safer it was, we also found that the larger the pair, the more dangerous the scorpions. lower risk'.

'While species such as the Israeli golden scorpion can be small to medium in size, they rely primarily on large claws rather than relatively weak venom.'

Israeli Golden Scorpion

Scorpions use both their venom and claws to capture prey and defend themselves.

According to the researchers, the findings suggest there is an evolutionary trade-off between these two weapons. Species that use more energy for the larger pair will have less energy for the venom.

This has resulted in large scorpions with giant claws being able to take advantage of their physical size and depend less on venom, and that smaller species with tiny claws have developed this type of venom. stronger poison.

Death Scorpion

According to a 2008 study, there are more than 1.2 million scorpion stings each year, resulting in more than 3,250 deaths.

The team hopes their findings will help develop better medical methods for scorpion venom.

Dr Michel Dugon, the study's author, said: 'As scientists, our job is to put social notions to the test.

'Most of the victims hospitalized with severe symptoms after a scorpion sting are children under 15 years of age.'

'Identifying the species causing the sting is essential to providing the correct treatment, and a simple rule like 'bigger is better' is a small first step towards saving lives. '