# Biology question: Crabs and Scorpions

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 21, 2022, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551 "2022-06-21T13:12:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551/21 "2024-08-14T16:22:04Z")

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Do entomologists consider the pedipalps “mouth parts?” IANAE, and I do not do this for a living, but it seems to me most cites just refer to the chelicerae as mouth parts.

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**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551/22 "2024-08-14T16:22:09Z")

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@mozchron IRL:

[![](https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fe/wrong_superhero.png) ](https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/f/fe/wrong_superhero.png)

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**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551/23 "2024-08-14T16:29:55Z")

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It depends on the critter.

I misstated chelicerae upthread, actually meant pedipalps - scorpion chelicerae are also pinchers but small (even professionals make mistakes when they post in a hurry)

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**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551/24 "2024-08-14T16:30:20Z")

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I use this cartoon in my lectures

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**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551/25 "2024-08-14T16:33:16Z")

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> [@mozchron](#):
>
> I’m an entomologist I do this for a living

Gosh, I like this board!

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**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551/26 "2024-08-15T09:10:12Z")

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> [@mozchron](#):
>
> scorpion chelicerae are also pinchers but small

Yep - for pic, see post 4.

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**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551/27 "2024-08-15T13:53:08Z")

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It’s not fully appreciated, but when Giant Scorpions exceed 100 feet in length, their pedipalps become less complex and their eyes start to resemble those of mammals:

> **[The Black Scorpion](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/68930/the-black-scorpion#overview)**
>
> Giant prehistoric scorpions terrorize the Mexican countryside.

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