Legend has it that the Ancient Sea Scorpion coiled itself around the coasts of China and India.
It is said to have been so massive that its coils weighed as much as twelve tons! This creature was also said to be so powerful that it could only be moved by hand. In addition, people were said to have used nets to trap these monsters when they encountered them. Most recently said to be no more than the size of a dog when discovered.
The Ancient Sea Scorpion has been in existence for a very long time. Its exact antiquity has probably been underestimated, even by those who have done research on it. No precise record of when it was first recorded in records has ever been found. However, the most prevalent date for the actual discovery of this creature is about five thousand years ago.
The recent finding brings with it several new discoveries. For one thing, it is the second largest specimen of this type of scorpion ever recorded. Another exciting bit of information is that it is the oldest known member of its family, the Cerbalus family. This is a group with a very important distribution across the Old World. The newest discovery also sheds a light on the ways in which this insect has been able to spread over such a large area.
The specimen is approximately five and a half inches long. Some people have compared its appearance to that of a medium-sized fish. However, there are no evidences to prove that claim. Its back, marked with numerous black dots, gives it a more exact match with the appearance of a large fish.
People have debated on whether or not the creature had originated in the Old World or it was simply brought from the New World. It was once thought to be native to the Southeastern portion of what is now the United States. The latest evidence, however, places it somewhere in what is now northern Canada. A recent analysis traced the creature to a single spot in British Columbia, Canada.
Those who study archaeology believe that this is simply the latest member of a species of small marine creatures that have been isolated from the rest of the population through the extreme isolation that took place during the Ice Age. At the time, man’s only sources of food were small, dangerous animals that lived in the colder waters. Today, they have become accustomed to eating fruits and plants. This means that they are no longer alone in their quest for food.
The fact that it is only found in fresh water also complicates matters. It is so small that it cannot even be spotted in a standard laboratory test. It cannot be dried properly. Therefore, scientists must rely on photographs and illustrations when attempting to study the creature in its natural habitat.
Despite its close connection to modern man, it is still considered a curiosity for many people. For those who live in the Old World portions of North America and Canada, it will undoubtedly become a rare find. The ancient sea scorpion may be gone, but it is not forgotten.
Because of its remote location, it is not accessible very often. Many people assume that the ancient creature is long gone, only to find out that they have been wrong. They are slowly being drawn into its web, unable to fight off its tentacles. They will, however, still be able to see it when it comes out to feed. It is at these moments that the creature will reveal its identity: the Sea Scorpion.
Even though the Sea Scorpion has lost most of its geographical range, it still inhabits certain areas in the northern Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. In order to catch it, divers must know where to look. Unfortunately, there is no effective way to determine whether or not the creature is present in a particular body of water. This makes it necessary for divers to keep detailed records of the locations where they find the creature.
Unfortunately, there is no way to predict when the sea scorpion will show up. In many regions it can be seen throughout the year, but only in the most remote areas. The species has also lost most of its natural prey and now depends on the sailors and divers for its food. Its venom is especially poisonous, so it is essential to wear protective gloves and goggles whenever handling this mysterious creature. If you plan to go sea scorpion hunting in the area, you should take a good supply of insect repellent, sunscreen, and extra life jackets.
There is a great deal of information available about the ancient sea scorpion.
The Anatomy of Sea Scorpions
Ancient Sea Scorpion Biology has been gaining some attention lately. While it’s not the latest news, it is one that is certainly worthy of some discussion. For a start, you have to ask, “What IS an Ancient Sea Scorpion?”
That’s a good question and there isn’t a whole lot that I can say about it in this article. However, I can tell you about one species of theropods that share many of their oceanic habits and characteristics with these creatures.
It’s called the Hypocarpus Deci and it’s a small member of the family called cephalopods (not to be confused with cephalopods or squid). There are only about 200 known – yes, I said ‘about’. They are mostly found off the western coast of North America, in the Southern Pacific Ocean and the Southern Oceans. This is one of only two known members of the family Clibanarius, which includes some of the common aquarium fish – such as the Angelfish and the Spadefish.
The scientific name is Hypocarpus Deci and the most recent study of the anatomy and behavior of the specimen revealed that the specimen is actually a new species. In fact the lab where the research was carried out has only handled one other Hypocarpus specimen in the last 100 years! It’s one of the reasons that the latest research is so interesting. We know so little about the life styles of sea anemones. They are solitary predators which hunt by senses of smell and taste.
During the last decade or so we’ve learned a lot more about them. We know their behavior, their size, their diets, and even their origins. So what’s new? The latest study describes a complete transformation in the way that the anemone behaves after being introduced into an alien surroundings with very different conditions.
To appreciate this transformation, you have to first understand the basis for the study. The sponge-like sponges are naturally nocturnal, which is why we never see them at the surface of the ocean. They are rarely seen above water. For a living creature to exist it must have some form of protection. This is where the sponges come in. They are covered with a hard exterior called the ‘parasite’.
The sponge-like habit means that they can remain hidden away at night without any chance of being seen by predators. Their spines are also protected by hairs that provide a secondary hard covering. When conditions are right they will climb out of the parasitoid sac and into the open air. But during the daytime when most sea scorpion biology works at its best, the sponge-covered sponges stay at the bottom of the ocean taking up all the nutrients that the sun and wind bring.
One day, perhaps after consuming too many food items that it needs to keep staying alive, one of these sponges decides to make a home for itself on an underwater rock face. As it does this, it leaves behind a trail of sulfurized feces that is filled with symbiotic bacteria, algae, and other organisms that eat other sea creatures. The resulting chain reaction starts the cycle of an ancient ecosystem that has been duplicated down to the modern day. The ancient Sea Scorpion Biology that started off from that one acid rain falling event that started this whole chain is responsible for keeping the oceans clean.
There are other little creatures that share this same ancient Sea Scorpion Biology. There are lobsters that live in the guts of their prey. Their owners never see them because they are so small. They rely on their owner for protection and shelter. These lobsters can also be found encased in a calcium carbonate shell. These shells are so ancient in fact that the chemistry of their interior is still similar to ancient Sea Scorpion Biology.
Another thing to consider is that this species may be on the endangered species list as well considering the rarity of its find.
Provided by Antonio Westley
Disclaimer: This article is meant to be seen as an overview of this subject and not a reflection of viewpoints or opinions as nothing is definitive. So, make sure to do your research and feel free to use this information at your own discretion.
