“Should you eat scorpion for survival” sounds disturbing at first sight, but hey, don’t you think you could?
Expertise in wilderness survival involves being able to stay alive even with all odds firmly stacked against you. It involves finding an advantage even in the most desolate places. And feeding & drinking is a keen part of this. In fact, it’s at the forefront of it.
But should our search for survival lead us to one of the most dangerous & purportedly wicked insects in the arid lands?
Let’s change the scope of our question to see.
Can you Eat Scorpions?
Most of us are taught to take to our heels as soon as we see scorpions, and it’s undoubtedly for our own good. Scorpions, with their infamous stingers, are never friendly animals. Only word phrase does it: STAY AWAY!
However, when the lights start flashing like a photo booth (thank you, Troye Sivan), there is little you can do. You may not have the luxury of picking what’s friendly & what isn’t.
Fortunately, you can eat scorpions, although another luxury you won’t get is making special barbecues out of the laps.
Scorpions can be eaten raw, but I advise that you cook them first. This is because the stinger & venom glands will have to be detached if you’re eating it raw, and there’s already so little to eat. When cooked, though, you can decide to leave the stinger provided you wouldn’t be hurt if it sends a last tiny sting at your throat on its way to your stomach.
Any Health Benefits to Eating Scorpions?
Chinese medicine uses scorpions for a number of uses, but taking that one aside, there are other nutrients attached to eating the insect. They include:
Protein: Scorpions pack plenty of protein. Whereas the typical protein percentage for beef is just 20, scorpions can have up to 80% protein content.
Calories: Sure, you don’t want to eat calories if you’re watching your weight, but you don’t have much choice in an SHTF scenario. It is crucial to keep your energy levels up, and the high level of calories in scorpions can surely help.
What Should You Know About Scorpions?
There are over 1 500 species of scorpions, out of which only 40 are deadly. The depth of the pain differs too, with some feeling like a bee sting, while others can hurt as much as a bullet ant bite & cause sickness or death.
Note that an allergic reaction can complicate a sting, and what should be non-deadly can lead to death if chances are taken.
Typical Habitat
Scorpions are mostly seen in warm, drylands. Semi-arid regions often term brilliantly with scorpions. However, scorpions are survivalists, and they can thrive in caves, mountains, savannahs, jungles & forests too.
Typical Activity
Typically, scorpions are nocturnal, meaning that most of their day is spent hidden under logs, rocks & in every nook & cranny they can find. Some of them burrow into the earth to chill too. Nighttime is when they roam to hunt.
Diet
Scorpions eat mostly through ambush. Their prey are quite extensive, including various spiders, insects & even smaller scorpions. They break down food using their venom before they suck up what’s left. As a result, it is very unlikely that tapeworms or other parasites live on scorpions.
So, Should you Eat Scorpions for Survival?
Answering yes to “should you eat scorpions for survival” may sound strange, but yes, you can. Tell that to anyone. If there’s no means to cook, you can eat them raw, ensuring to take out their stinger. It is always best to cook them, though.