Ch8 - Scorpion
Scorpions are very interesting creatures living in incredibly diverse environments. You can find them in deserts, but also in rainforests. They even inhabit alpine areas covered with snow.
Scorpions were one of the first organisms to adapt to living on land: they did it about 420 million years ago. In these ancient times dwelled the largest specimen in history – they could reach even one meter in length.
Scorpions have very characteristic bodies, which are generally divided into the head and the abdomen. Their most distinctive feature, and also their main weapon, is a venomous stinger. Thanks to the stinger, few animals decide to attack scorpions, which in turn have no trouble catching prey. Scorpions usually eat insects, spiders, sometimes even small vertebrates such as mice and rats.
Little scorpions hatch from eggs inside their mother’s body, so when they are born they already look like miniature versions of their parents, only lighter in color. One litter can count up to 95 scorplings. For some time, their mother carries them on her back until they are capable enough to take care of themselves.
Scorpions are known for the dangerous venom produced by their glandular sacs. Not all scorpions are dangerous for humans though. Most scorpion stings can be simply painful, but they pose no danger to a human’s life or health. The most venomous scorpion in the world is the Asian species Androctonus crassicauda.
Scorpions use their venom only when hunting, or when they are extremely stressed. So, when you find yourself in a place where these animals live, it is important not to create such situations. For example, you should advance cautiously and avoid stepping on a camouflaged scorpion.
Scorpions use their venom mainly for hunting, rarely for defense. Their hard exoskeleton (made from a substance called chitin) also discourages predators, because it makes scorpions difficult to eat.
By way of nature, different animals have different ways of avoiding danger – exoskeleton and venom are only an example. Some animals flee quickly, and are unreachable for the predators. Others camouflage so well, they look like their surroundings. Yet another group of animals adopted bright, deterrent colors into their hide, which hints others that they may be poisonous. Some animals have developed various outgrowths: pointed spikes bound to bruise, antlers threatening by their appearance.
Due to development of science and the growing availability of research methods, which enabled examining the fluorescence of scorpions, new species of these animals are being discovered all the time. In 2009 a species of tiny scorpions (about 16 mm long) was discovered next to the Colorado river. Until then, they were considered to be hatchlings of another, bigger species of scorpions. The new research methods enable discovering new species also in laboratories, where scientists keep the genetic material collected from specimens found years ago.
Build
To build this model, you will need LEGO Education WeDo 2.0
Explore
This model represents a scorpion ready to ambush its victim if it comes too close. As soon as the scorpion notices, it attacks with the venomous stinger at the end of its tail.
The model relies on three electronic parts.
1. The motion sensor, placed in the scorpion's head, allows to detect a victim in front of it.
2. The motor propels the gear transmissions in the tail; because of it, the tail can move forwards and backwards.
3. The hub powers and controls elements connected to it, in accordance with the program created.
The scorpion's body has some functional elements, others purely for display.
1. Like a real scorpion, the model has a smooth carapace.
2. In the back, an immobile cog is installed. Cogwheels in the tail will turn around it.
3. The scorpion's massive pincers are attached to bricks with ball joints.
4. The model stands on several small legs.
The pincers end with claws. In this model, you can arrange them as you wish.
1. You can open and close the claws.
2. The second joint is between the claw and the femur.
3. The ball joint creates a vast array of positions for the pincers. They can be tilted forwards, backwards, up, down, and in all directions in between.
The gear transmission moving the scorpion's tail is made out of six cogwheels.
1. Unlike the majority of mechanisms, in this model, the motor moves the beam on which the cogwheels are installed, not the first cog in the transmission.
2. The beam moves, because the first cogwheel is immobile and others turn around it.
3. The upper part of the tail is connected directly to the last cogwheel, which is why it moves along with the main tail beam.
4. The short axle has two tasks: it fastens one of the middle cogwheels and limits the motion of the upper tail.
The tail performs an attack by tilting its middle part to the front, while aiming the upper part at the victim.
1. The lower part of the tail moves around this axle.
2. The upper part of the tail is fixed on that axle.
3. The slope brick at the end of the tail resembles a venomous stinger.
Program
The finished scorpion model will attack with its tail, whenever it notices anything in front of it.
