Water Scorpion

Water scorpion as seen at Scotswood Garden Water scorpion as seen at Scotswood Garden

Water Scorpion (nepa cinerea)

This is a pond predator which lurks in ponds waiting for any small creatures to grab with its front legs (which look more like giant pincers). It can give you a painful nip if you handle it, but it is not poisonous. Still, we wouldn't recommend picking one up.

It looks like it has a large sting coming out of its tail end, but actually this is a snorkel which enables it to breathe whilst staying just under the surface of the water. 

 

Read 1205 times Last modified on Tuesday, 22 November 2022 10:27
Rate this item
(0 votes)
More in this category: « Newt - Smooth Newt - Palmate »

Leave a comment

Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).