Watch Out! It Stings! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Scorpion

The scorpion uses its stinger to not only kill its quarry, but to also defend itself. Although they are found all over the world, except for Antarctica and New Zealand, scorpions typically live in desert areas. The venom of most scorpions rarely causes more than acute discomfort to humans, however, beware! There are 25 species that carry venom that can kill humans. Scorpions make many of the "Ten Most Painful Stings" lists because the effects of their stings, which may include breathing difficulties along with severe pain, can last up to 72 hours.

Answer: Jellyfish

All species of jellyfish have tentacles that release nematocysts that contain venom; however, while this may be painful, not all have enough venom to cause death to humans. The fact that jellyfish are transparent, or semi-transparent, makes them very difficult to spot, and some are nearly invisible to humans. Watch out for the Irukandji jellyfish, or sea wasp, a species of box jellyfish, though! Found off the coast of northern Australia, it is about a cubic centimeter in size with a sting that can cause a person to have a fatal brain hemorrhage.

Answer: Stonefish

Okay! I know what you're thinking. Stonefish live in the ocean, so what's the chance of stepping on one? Well, they do live along coastal areas, and some also live in rivers. When a stonefish feels threatened, its dorsal fin spine sticks up and releases venom.

The amount of venom released is typically related to the amount of pressure placed on the fish. Considered to be the most venomous fish in the world, the poison released by the dorsal fin spine of a stonefish can be fatal to humans.

Answer: Stingray

Stingrays are typically very docile and do not attack humans unless they feel threatened. Many times the threat is caused by someone accidentally stepping on one. A cartilaginous fish that is related to sharks, the stingray carries a serrated barb that not only releases venom, but also cuts the skin.

In many cases, people must have surgery in order to have pieces of the barb removed. The wound, though painful, is not usually life threatening unless the barb pierces a major organ.

Answer: Platypus

While both the male and female platypus are born with ankle spurs, the female's never really develop and drop off by the time she is a year old. The male's spurs, however, produce an extremely painful sting that also contains a venom that can paralyze small animals and be incapacitating to an adult human for several days or even weeks.

It appears that the venom is not used to paralyze prey, but only to defend.

Answer: Bullet ant

The common name of the bullet ant is derived from the sensation of its extremely painful sting - one of being shot! While its venom is not fatal for most, the sting does give the victim 24 hours of agony. There is a scale called the Schmidt Sting Index that rates the pain caused by insect stings. Jason Schmidt, who published the index, claims to have been stung by most of them.

The highest rating, a 4, has only been given to three creatures to date - the tarantula hawk, warrior wasp, and bullet ant.

Answer: Centipede

Who would have thought that centipedes sting?! But they do. While some sources say that centipedes bite, they actually have two pinchers called forcipules located on the first segment near their heads that are modified legs that sting! Their venom is not fatal to humans, but can cause swelling and redness; young children often have allergic reactions after being stung.

In addition, the sting area can easily become infected if not properly cleaned. How many legs does a centipede really have? It depends on how many body segments they have.

They typically have one pair per segment, and there are some that can have well over one hundred legs.

Answer: Longhorned beetle

There is only one beetle in the world that stings, and it is a type of longhorned beetle called Onychocerus albitarsis. The beetle has a pair of antennae, which are typically used for sensing, and each has a stinger on the end. Scientists used to think that the pain from the sting was caused more from the antennae being sharp; in 2005 it was confirmed that they actually do hold venom. Compared to a common bee sting, the sting of Onychocerus albitarsis only causes mild discomfort.

As is the case with many insects, Onychocerus albitarsis is phytophagous, meaning that it feeds on plants.

Answer: Tarantula hawk

The ferocity of the tarantula hawk is seen in its name - it preys on tarantulas! Also known as a type of spider wasp, it uses its sting to paralyze its quarry and then takes it back to its nest, where it is eaten alive by the larva that is laid on it. Yikes! The stinger is so large there aren't many animals that can eat the tarantula hawk; the roadrunner is one that can.

As far as humans are concerned, the sting causes intense pain - it is another sting that is rated a 4 on the Schmidt Sting Index - for about five minutes and then the ordeal is mostly over.

Some might have an allergic reaction or redness at the sting site for about a week.

Answer: Tarantula

While it must be said that most spiders bite, about 90% of the New World tarantulas have a different defense mechanism. When looking at one, it is easy to spot the hair, or bristles, on its body. When it feels threatened, the tarantula will shoot these barbed urticating bristles at its victim.

They irritate the skin, and can cause a rash that lasts several days or even weeks. The situation becomes more serious if the bristles reach the eye. New World tarantulas produce silk when they are constructing their burrows.