In recent years, **scorpions [stopped being exclusive to rural areas](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/las-grandes-ciudades-de-latinoamerica-enfrentan-una-crisis-sanitaria-por-la-proliferacion-de-escorpiones/)** and began to increasingly occupy urban spaces. This expansion is due to their high adaptability and the ease with which they take refuge in deteriorated environments. At the same time, **the risk posed by their stings worsens the situation** in densely populated areas.
However, **natural balance has predators that could help curb their spread**. Some of them are immune to the venom and have a diet that includes these arachnids. The problem is that their presence in cities is scarce or undervalued.
**Opossums, toads, owls, and lizards** are some of the natural hunters of scorpions. Although in the wild they keep these animals in check, in urban environments, they are displaced by habitat loss or lack of awareness of their ecological importance.
This lack of effective predators in cities has contributed to the uncontrolled increase of scorpions. The lack of biodiversity thus becomes a disadvantage in the fight against this growing threat.
## Unexpected Allies Against a Silent Plague
**Opossums, common in Latin America, [stand out for their venom resistance and effectiveness as hunters](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/zarigueyas-los-depredadores-inmunes-al-veneno-de-los-escorpiones/).** By feeding on scorpions without adverse effects, they play **a key role in the natural balance**, although they are often rejected in inhabited areas.
**The giant toad is another formidable natural enemy**. With proven immunity to highly venomous species, this amphibian **helps control various pests**, including scorpions. In peri-urban areas or gardens, their presence can make a difference.
Nocturnal birds of prey, like the **burrowing owl**, have proven to be **silent hunters of scorpions**. Their adaptation to open areas and varied diet make them effective allies, although often invisible.
The **common tegu lizard**, less common in urbanized areas, also **ranks among the natural predators**. Its omnivorous diet and resilience make it an effective predator, although its impact in cities is lower due to the lack of suitable spaces for survival.
## Preserving to Protect
The return of these predators to cities depends on the conservation of green spaces and the recognition of their ecological value. **Including them in natural control strategies can be key to facing the expansion** of the scorpion.
Promoting **healthy and diverse urban ecosystems** not only enhances biodiversity but also offers sustainable solutions against pests like this. Nature has the tools; it’s just a matter of allowing it to act.
## **Why is the scorpion so feared?**
Scorpion venom is a **complex mixture of toxins** that mainly affect the nervous system. When injected, it **can cause intense pain, inflammation, muscle cramps**, and in severe cases, respiratory difficulties or heart failure.
Some species, like the *Tityus serrulatus*, have especially dangerous neurotoxic venom for children, the elderly, or individuals with health problems. In these cases, **the sting can become lethal without immediate medical attention**.
The fear of scorpion venom also lies in its **rapid action and the difficulty of detecting their presence before an attack**. These arachnids tend to hide in dark corners, shoes, or clothes, increasing the risk of accidental encounters.
Furthermore, the resistance of scorpions to many control methods and their ability to reproduce rapidly in urban environments have made **their venom a constant danger** in different regions of the world.
