arts
The largest scorpion to walk the Earth was the size of a baseball bat
By Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News
· June 11, 2026
· 7 min read
(CNN) — Imagine a huge scorpion the size of a baseball bat, scrambling over mossy rocks and around large, treelike structures before slipping into a nearby stream. That’s how a team of scientists describes what the largest ever known scorpion would have looked like as it prowled its environment roug
Key takeaway That’s how a team of scientists describes what the largest ever known scorpion would have looked like as it prowled its environment roughly 415 million years ago in what’s now Great Britain.
Why this matters in The Miami
Miami's own natural history is marked by the presence of various scorpion species, albeit much smaller than the Praearcturus gigas. While the giant scorpion's discovery in Great Britain may seem distant, it highlights the importance of continued research and reexamination of existing fossils. In Miami, the University of Miami's Department of Geological Sciences and the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science contribute to the understanding of South Florida's unique paleontological history. The discovery of Praearcturus gigas serves as a reminder that even in well-studied fields, new insights can be gained from revisiting old specimens. For Miamians interested in paleontology, this finding may spark curiosity about the region's own prehistoric creatures, such as the giant ground sloth and mammoths that once roamed the area. Local researchers and enthusiasts may be inspired to reexamine the region's fossil record, potentially uncovering new information about the evolution of species in South Florida.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: June 11, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 7 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more The Miami stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering arts and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (CNN) — Imagine a huge scorpion the size of a baseball bat, scrambling over mossy rocks and around large, treelike structures before slipping into a nearby stream. That’s how a team of scientists describes what the largest ever known scorpion would have looked like as it prowled its environment roug
When was this published? This article was first published on June 11, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More arts →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter