User:MCbio2022/Uroctonus mordax

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Uroctonus mordax, known generally as the California forest scorpion or western forest scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae. Most notably, this species is almost entirely restricted to California’s Redwood Forests and Oak Woodlands, and is considered a foundational species in those ecosystems. They are most often found on south or west-facing slopes, under rocks or logs on the ground, and prefer a moist environment.

Anatomy
Western forest scorpions have eight legs and two claws in front of their mouths. Their bodies are more "squat" with skinnier tails than other scorpion species. Western forest scorpions are typically dark brown or black. Their legs are a translucent yellowish-brown. Males have a duller color than females. Males are also smaller and shorter in length. Fifth metasomal segment has a ventral median carina which forks to form a "Y".

It has been described as "smaller than your pinkie, has a sting milder than a honeybee's, is so shy it only hunts on moonless nights and even then is most often seen running away." They are not necessarily dangerous but still have a stinger. The stinger is on their tail and, when hunting, they flip the tail over their head to sting prey. Their venom bulb is below the stinger with mild venom.

Habitat
The Western Forest Scorpion is most commonly found in the San Francisco Bay Area. They reside often in remote regions of the western facing hills. Their habitat ranges from elevations of 5 meters up to 2000 meters. They tend to be the only species of scorpion living in the remote regions. California forest scorpions require a moister environment than other species of scorpions.

They have been spotted in households in Woodacre, California.

Their diet in this region consists of small insects. Researchers, in experiments, have reported feeding them crickets, flies, and spiders.

Birthing
The Uroctonus mordax deliver their young at an earlier stage in their development. Studies have shown the Western Forest Scorpion to give birth primarily in the summer months, once a year. They have, on average, seven young. The female scorpion gets into a stilting position. The pair of walking legs get pulled under the body and the tail raises over the back. The young are supported by their mother's legs when pulled under. The young are engulfed in a membrane at birth that is held by the mother until they can escape. After leaving the membrane, they climb to the mother's back. However, at no point do the young's legs touch the ground in the process of getting to the back.

Mating
When it is courtship/mating seasons, the male scorpions leave their burrows for extended periods of time. They become "nomadic" and mobile as they search for a female. Female California forest scorpions are known to initiate the mating process with the male. The courtship is in the form of a near-attack dance. The male and female then face their pincers to each other and spin in a dance-like formation.