How meerkats survive venomous scorpion stings
How meerkats survive venomous scorpion stings
A meerkat disarming a scorpion.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzA meerkat disarming a scorpion.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzA family of meerkats being hunted by an eagle and a jackal.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzMeerkats evading a mother jackal that is searching for food for her cubs.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Scorpius is the eighth sign of the zodiac and is said to govern the period from about October 24 to November 21.
-
© Martin Harvey (A Britannica Publishing Partner)The web-footed gecko, or palmatogecko (Pachydactylus rangei), of the Namib desert, Africa, uses dew drops it collects on its lidless eyes to survive in the heat.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzOverview of the brown hyena.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Love can be a dangerous game.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzA dominant female meerkat expelling a subordinate from the pack.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Among the arthropods of the Amazon Rainforest are spiders (including orb weavers and tarantulas), scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, butterflies, wasps, rhinoceros beetles, ponerine ants, mantids, and walkingsticks.
News •
Humans rank above meerkats but below beavers in monogamy league table
• Dec. 9, 2025, 8:17 PM ET (The Guardian)
Transcript
A parabuthus scorpion in the Namib desert - it has powerful pincers and a highly poisonous sting. In humans, the scorpion’s venom will paralyze muscles and restrict the airways within minutes.
But Meerkats have little fear of the deadly predator. They nimbly maneuver around its lethal tail. With swift precision, the scorpion is disarmed of it posionous weapon. Meerkats are immune to the scorpion’s venom and can survive a sting that would kill a small child.
But Meerkats have little fear of the deadly predator. They nimbly maneuver around its lethal tail. With swift precision, the scorpion is disarmed of it posionous weapon. Meerkats are immune to the scorpion’s venom and can survive a sting that would kill a small child.
Last Modification: