Now before you go "Eek!" and get all disgusted, first let me tell you that this lil' critter doesn't sting. This is a vinegaroon, or a whip-tailed scorpion. He, or she, is a pet, believe it or not (not our pet, though).
These creatures are in the spider family and are nocturnal. This particular species is found mostly in west Texas, usually in desert areas. They have very poor eyesight but the front legs serve as feelers, and they sense vibration and movement to catch their prey. The two thick pincers are used to grasp prey and hold it while they eat (they like crickets and grasshoppers). The vinegaroon also uses the pincers to drink water and to dig in the sand. They can also pinch with these protuberances.
When startled or threatened, the vinegaroon sprays a substance comparable to 85% acetic acid from scent glands at the base of the tail. (Regular vinegar is usually 5% acetic acid).
I used to hear of vinegaroons when I was a kid, and people thought they were very dangerous. Now I learn they were wrong. Of course, that was a lot of years ago!
Oh, the vinegaroon's name is Dale. Of course, he could be a she, and then we'd have to call him Dale Evans, right?
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