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Scorpions Larger Than Basketball Players Used to Reign the Oceans Some 400 Million Years Ago

Scorpions larger than basketball players
Image via Canva

Around 400 million years ago, Earth’s oceans were dominated by massive sea scorpions. Scorpions, as we know them today, are already pretty terrifying — now imagine them being larger than basketball players!

These prehistoric predators, known as eurypterids, were among the largest arthropods to ever exist – let’s get to know these imposing creatures a little better.

Discovery of Australian Fossils

Image via Canva

Recent discoveries in Australia have revealed fossils of these giant sea scorpions, providing new insights into their size and global reach. Previously, most eurypterid fossils were found in North America and Europe, but these new finds expand our understanding of their distribution and what places they called ‘home.’

Scorpions Larger Than Basketball Players

massive scorpion
By User:Slate Weasel – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65559191

Some species of these sea scorpions, like Jaekelopterus, could reach up to 8 feet in length, dwarfing an average human. This immense size allowed them to dominate the marine ecosystems of their time, preying on fish and other marine life.

The tiny scorpions we’re familiar with today, but still, they’ll terrify most people, even if we could easily smush them with one step – now imagine encountering one that is even bigger than yourself.

Sea Scorpions as Global Migrators

Haeckel Eurypterus tetragonophthalmus
Haeckel Eurypterus tetragonophthalmus. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=607253

Fossils suggest that these giant scorpions were capable of migrating across entire oceans, similar to modern whales. This ability to traverse long distances raises questions about their behavior, including whether their migrations were seasonal or driven by other factors.

A New Area of Research in Oceania

Eurypterus exhibited in Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Hall of Fossils.
Eurypterus exhibited in Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Hall of Fossils. By Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9004676

The discovery of these fossils in Oceania, particularly in Australia, opens up a new area of research. Previously, fossils in this region were too fragmented to classify, but these more intact specimens provide a clearer picture of these ancient creatures.

The Role of Pterygotus and Jaekelopterus

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Two key species identified from the Australian fossils are Pterygotus, which could grow up to 5.5 feet, and Jaekelopterus, the largest of its kind. These species represent some of the most formidable predators of their time, with powerful claws and thick exoskeletons.

The Mystery of Their Extinction

prehistoric scorpion
By ABelov2014 – https://abelov2014.deviantart.com/art/Pterygotus-569588804, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66820608

Despite their dominance, these giant sea scorpions vanished around 393 million years ago. The reasons for their extinction remain unclear, with hypotheses ranging from environmental changes to competition with other marine animals.

Clues from the Fossil Record

Pterygotus
By Paleobiome – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149047488

The fossil record shows that the peak of eurypterid dominance occurred around 444 million years ago, with their sudden disappearance still a mystery. Researchers continue to study these fossils to understand the factors that led to their decline.

The Evolutionary Path to Gigantism

scorpion
Image via Pixabay

The evolution of gigantism in sea scorpions is a fascinating subject, it raises many questions but at the moment there are few answers available.

These creatures evolved to grow larger and larger, reaching sizes that would have made them almost unstoppable in their ecosystems before their sudden drop-off in size and eventual extinction.

Environmental and Ecological Factors

Jaekelopterus
By ДиБгд – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36922112

Researchers speculate that environmental and ecological factors could have played a role in the extinction of these giant scorpions. Climate change, shifting tectonic plates, and competition with other species might have all contributed to their downfall.

Implications for Future Research

Fossil of Jaekelopterus, an extinct arthropod.
Fossil of Jaekelopterus, an extinct arthropod. By Ghedoghedo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17311178

The discovery of these fossils in Australia suggests that there may be more to learn about the distribution and behavior of eurypterids. Future research could uncover additional fossils that might help solve the mystery of their extinction.

Sea Scorpions as Apex Predators

Exhibit in the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas, USA.
Exhibit in the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas, USA. By Daderot – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24563303

During their reign, sea scorpions were the apex predators of the oceans, using their size and strength to dominate other marine life. Their thick exoskeletons and powerful claws made them nearly invincible in their environment.

A Glimpse into Ancient Oceans

Reconstruction of Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, a devonian pterygotid eurypterid.
Reconstruction of Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, a devonian pterygotid eurypterid. By Junnn11 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98596330

The discovery of these giant sea scorpions offers a glimpse into the ancient oceans that existed 400 million years ago. As researchers continue to study these incredible creatures, we may learn more about their lives, their migrations, and the reasons for their mysterious extinction.