Vinegaroon (Telephonida)
Image Copyright Napha Kotkanplu
Last Observed: January 2016, Koh Chang
Observed By: Napha Kotkangplu
The Vinegaroons, also known as whip scorpions are in fact a family of arachnids that is completely separate from scorpions themselves.
They get their rather marvellous name from an ability they have when attacked to discharge a pungent liquid that contains acetic acid and smells like vinegar.
As you can tell from their fearsome pincers vinegaroons are formidable predators that feed on insects, millipedes, scorpions and even small vertebrates. They kill their prey by crushing them and are particularly fond of cockroaches.
Image Copyright Napha Kotkanplu
Image Copyright Napha Kotkanplu
Image Copyright Napha Kotkanplu
Image Copyright Napha Kotkanplu
