Scorpions have greatly enlarged grasping appendages arising from the anterior end, similar to those of crab.

The uninitiated regard these with some fear when the dangerous part, the sting, is at the tip of the so-called tale which can be bent forward over the back of the body when the Scorpion strikes. All known scorpion species possess venom and use it primarily to kill or paralyse their prey so that it can be eaten.

In general, it is fast-acting, allowing for effective prey capture. It is also used as a defence against predators. The venom is a mixture of compounds (neurotoxins, enzyme inhibitors, etc.) each not only causing a different effect, but possibly also targeting a specific animal.

Each compound is made and stored in a pair of glandular sacs and is released in a quantity regulated by the scorpion itself. Of the 1000+ known species of scorpion, only 25 have venom that is deadly to humans; most of those belong to the family Buthidae. Fortunately nearly all the Scorpions local to Australia are non-venomous.

However, all scorpions are able to penetrate human skin and deliver sharp, unpleasant stings, most of which usually leave redness around the stung area.
First aid

First aid for scorpion stings is generally symptomatic. It includes strong analgesia, either systemic (opiates or paracetamol) or locally applied (such as a cold compress). Hypertensive crises are treated with anxiolytics and vasodilators.