Photo by: NPS / Erik Oberg

USA: Wyoming, Park County

Yellowstone NP, Wash N1

Ele. 2260m Pitfall Trap

11-22 August, E. Oberg

2 millimeter Predator - Pseudoscorpion

This pseudoscorpion is one of the most fearsome predators native to Yellowstone. It is far smaller than the more famous wolves and bears, but this carnivore certainly holds its own when it comes to preying on other insects. It uses its fearsome claws to immobilize its prey. The pseudoscorpion carries its venom not in fangs, but rather in specialized glands found on the underside of its claws, which liquefies the unlucky insect. Then, using its straw like mouth, the pseudoscorpion sucks its prey into its mouth. These organisms also engage in phoresy, a type of cooperation in which the pseudoscorpion hitches a ride beneath the wings of larger flying insects. Despite their fearsome appearance, pseudoscorpions are not dangerous to humans. Original public domain image from Flickr