Albert Herdianto Widjojo
On the corner of the back porch, I found this creature last night. At that time Black and Blue ran to the back porch to catch Susie and play there, but because it was late, and they had to stay inside the house I intended to take them inside.
When Black ran to the corner, the smell of vinegar smelled strong enough, so I immediately found out the source of the smell. This is a ketonggeng, or whip scorpions in English, at least that’s what is called in an online and Wikipedia dictionary.
According to Wikipedia, it is a group of animals that resemble scorpions but have a kind of “whip” on the back, rather than sting. All ketonggeng belong to the Thelyphonida family.
This creature is easily recognizable by its dark color, has a scorpion-like front (complete with a pair of claws around the head), but does not have a “tail” with a stinging tip like its relatives, its tail resembles a small brown needle. The body length is between 10-15 cm The abdominal part (called pygidium) is equipped with a rather stiff elongated whip (flagellum) organ.
Ketonggeng is actively looking for food at night. Ketonggeng’s main foods are insects, millipedes, scorpions, and worms. This creature is very effective in controlling populations of crickets and cockroaches.
Wikipedia explains that Ketonggeng is also known as Vinegaroon (Vinegar) because when it is threatened, it will spray a combined liquid of acetic acid and octanoic acid which causes a smell like vinegar. This animal is not venomous nor can it bite, it can only clamp with its claw. Even though if exposed to stinging sour fluids it can cause the skin to feel itchy and if it is severe it can even cause a burning sensation such as burns. For humans, it is not dangerous at all. But still, if it hit the claws it will feel very painful because the claws are quite strong. Well, as far as I have experienced so far after seeing it for many years, I have never been harmed by this creature, other than the women who complained about the sour smell, plus their fear.
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Question of
Have you ever seen this creature before?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
If you meet this creature near you, will you do something to it?
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Yes
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No
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I know… Just don’t touch it… ?
Do you have a pet? Maybe this is suitable to be maintained in a terrarium jar.
Users voted 12 times.
Q: If you meet this creature near you, will you do something to it?
Yes (6 votes) – 50%
No (6 votes) – 50%
Q: Have you ever seen this creature before?
Yes (5 votes) – 38%
No (8 votes) – 62%
Oh wow. I have never known of a whip scorpion
Think of this as an introduction, my friend. lol
I do not plan to ever see one of these within arms reach, lol
You taught me a bit about these. I am not sure we have them here, I have never seen one in real life. I have seen them in pictures. They sure do look scary. That smell must be very strong for you to smell it from where you were. Awesome photograph!
By finding it, at least I have something to post here in this challenge.
The smell is of course very strong and therefore very easy to recognize or can be an indication of the existence of these creatures around us.
Well, if I ever smell a strong vinegar smell I will know thanks to youi!
It might be a bit different case if you smell the aroma in the kitchen at certain times.
Animals such as the scorpion, snakes, crocodiles, Alligators and so on, inspire fear in us. But I wonder if the fear is more that we are not as capable as that creature….
I am sure we both know where the fear comes from in humans, the rest maybe because of various programs that have been implanted by other people in many ways.
I would say it comes from two distinct places. The first being our own shortcomings. The other being the intentional appearance of the creature.
I think fear is our own instinct and one of the basic nature, besides the ego that develops into a system to develop itself to enjoy living according to its own ideal version. The system reacts to various potential discomforts and dangers, both real and illusory.
I don’t recall who wrote this but the line that came to mind was this.
“To separate the person, from the ego is hard. To separate the human from the animal is impossible.”
It is a quote that impresses and has truth even though in it, peering at a lot of understanding and meaning.
I read it a few years ago, and I cannot remember who to credit saying it!
I would stay away from any scorpion since I have learned to respect some animals that use poison or other forms of self defense like the vinegar smell.
I am increasingly understanding your love for fellow living beings, Dee.
Thank you for your kind comments Albert.
You are most welcome, Dee.
Never heard or seen one…
I’m quite sure, like most UFI (unidentified or even identified foreign Insect), it’ll be thrown out of the window … by our UFI killers …
Throwing it out of the window alive is natural and fair, but if they kill it’s dead I hope that its ghost won’t haunt UFI killers… and who gave the order too…
Haha … usually if it doesn’t struggle, it could go out alive…else, usually half-dead … :/
I hope there is no feeling of resentment among those who have been persecuted.
Oh wow what a find. I would probably take a picture since that is what I do! Never heard this about a vinegar scorpion. Very investing story. I am su retie cats were curious and wanted to see what the critter was.
Yes, Black and Blue looked so curious about the creature but I managed to keep them away before getting too close.
Have the potential to be a good figure in the picture if I don’t rush because I have to bring in the cats.
Good for you for protecting the cats. They are lucky to have you.
Owh… Thank you so much for the praise, Carol.
I have not seen this scorpion yet. If I would meet him, I would scream and flee ?
Can be understood, and I will even take care of you so you d?n’t fall…
I continue to thank you for your help and care. That’s why I like friends ?
No problem, we have an abundance of such things.
I’ve seen them but only in photos and museum collections. I’ve never seen a live one. And, when I said I would do something to it, I meant photograph it. 🙂
The creature has adequate character as something special in a picture, unfortunately, I also can only shoot it in a limited and hasty manner.
That’s fine. It’s a good capture. Nice work.
Thanks for the compliment, Gary.
This scorpion does not live with us … they live in tapas that are very dangerous …. I would leave him alone and run away … I do not like scorpions
Its form is rather scary, it smells too, but it even eats the scorpion.
I’ll let him out for free.
You are responding to the creature correctly, Ellenka.
I have seen a video about this creature! If I meet one … I would collect vinegar for a salad!!!??
Wow! It seems you are quite curious about this creature.
I don’t even kn?w that creature vinegar can be used f?r salads.
Of course it was a joke! I’m glad I made you laugh! That was the purpose of the comment!
But actually, I didn’t laugh at all because the truth is I was hungry because of your salad st?ry.
Yes it looks frightening but I would probably put it outside into the garden and wear gloves. I usually do that to spiders too
I have often been frightened of these things but come to realise that there are often people more frightened than me
You are amazing, Pamela. You have reliable composure and self-mastery.
Matter of having to Albert, it is often necessary to do things myself
…and that is another strength, independence.