General Description
Long flat oval-shaped body. Front pair of legs bent and pincer-like. Long thin tube on the tip of the abdomen. Up to 5 mm long.
Biology
Water Scorpions extend the tube on their back out of the water to breathe air through it like a snorkel. They can ambush fast-swimming prey, such as small fish, catching them between their front legs and stabbing them with their pointed proboscis.
Distribution
Mainland Australia.
Habitat
Wetlands, ponds and slow-flowing freshwater areas.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Brief Id
Flat oval-shaped body, long thin tube at end of body, pincer-like front legs.
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Diet
Carnivore
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Diet Categories
Insects, Fish
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Common Name
Water Scorpion
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