Scorpions have eight legs, a combined head and thorax called a cephalothorax, and a segmented abdomen. They have a pair of large pincerlike pedipalps at the front of their bodies, which they use for catching prey. Their abdomens are segmented with an elongated tail ending in a stinger, usually carried elevated up and over the body. Scorpions feed on spiders and soft-bodied insects. Small prey may be eaten immediately, while larger prey are stung and then eaten after movement stops.
Scorpions hide during the day and are active at night.
Indoors, they are most often found in crawl spaces and attics. During the summer they often enter houses. Although scorpions tend to be found on dry land, they require moisture and may be attracted to water sources. They generally do not like extremely high temperatures and may be driven to enter the living areas of a home seeking relief from heat and dryness. Several species of scorpions are found in the United States, with most inhabiting areas in the South and Southwest.