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The animal on the cover of Oracle SQL: The Essential Reference is a scorpion. Fossil records indicate that scorpions were among the first arachnids, and the presence of gills in some fossil specimen may indicate that the scorpion evolved from a sea-dwelling ancestor. Today, scorpions dwell in desert habitats, where they sleep under rocks or in sand burrows during the day, and come out at night to hunt insects. Scientists know of approximately 1,300 species of scorpions, ranging in size from one to eight inches, and ranging in color from yellow-brown to green to black.
The scorpion locates its prey by detecting air-born vibrations through the sensory hairs on its pedipalps (claws). The scorpion then uses its pedipalps to grasp the prey while injecting it with paralyzing venom from the aculeus (stinger) on the end of its tail. A scorpion also uses its venomous sting for defense against would-be devourers, which include fellow arachnids, centipedes and spiders, as well as lizards, birds, and small mammals.
The scorpion's mating ritual involves an elaborate courtship dance, during which the male and female grasp claws; the male secretes spermatophore on a rock or twig over which the female crosses, drawing in the sperm. Gestation ...
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