Although the fish that evolved in the Silurian had evolved special sensors to detect danger, they had no real defense against the mighty arthropod Brontoscorpio. Being the largest true scorpion to have ever lived, Brontoscorpio was a huge threat to many creatures in the Silurian seas, using its giant pincers and stinger to kill their prey.

Basic Info

Meaning of name: Brontoscorpio means "thunder scorpion".

Time of existence: Brontoscorpio lived in the late Silurian period, about 425 million years ago.

Diet: Brontoscorpio was one of the top predators of the Silurian seas, and mostly ate the jawless fish that co-existed with it, such as Cephalaspis. They also most likely ate smaller arthropods.

Threats: Despite being one of the most apex predators of the Silurian, Brontoscorpio was not immune to being attacked by larger animals. They were prey animals to the giant eurypterid Pterygotus, and were possibly also eaten by the orthocones that lived in the seas with them.

Size: Brontoscorpio was a meter long, or 3.3 feet long.

Brontoscorpio pursuing a Cephalaspis

Attributes: Brontoscorpio had many attributes that allowed it to be able to be an apex predator. For one, it had massive pincers it used to grab its prey and hold it down. Then, it would use its lightbulb-sized stinger to inject deadly venom into its victims. On top of that, Brontoscorpio developed very primitive lungs that allowed it to go onto the land.

A group of Brontoscorpio crawling on land

However, much like modern arthropods, Brontoscorpio had to shed its skin, and due to their size, it was a long and grueling process.

Brontoscorpio abandoning its old skin

Appearances in the Walking with... series

Walking with Monsters

Brontoscorpio appears in the opening of the show, where it approaches the screen, and then stings the screen, transitioning into the program.

Brontoscorpio in the opening titles

Episode 1-Water Dwellers

Brontoscorpio first appears in the episode's opening synopsis, where it is first seen being attacked by Pterygotus, and then is seen chasing after a Cephalaspis. Brontoscorpio plays a major part in the Silurian segment of the episode, where it is first seen attempting to catch a Cephalaspis, and proceeds to break the fourth wall by stinging the camera, leaving a crack.

Brontoscorpio stings the camera

A large group of Brontoscorpio is seen resting on some rocks while searching for food. A Brontoscorpio is shortly seen chasing a school of Cephalaspis, before signaling one out and attempting to ambush her. However, he is detected and is forced to chase after the fish, many times getting close to catching her. However, eventually she breaks off the path after picking up bad vibrations, which the scorpion could not detect. He is then grabbed and killed by a massive Pterygotus. Brontoscorpio later reappears leaving the water and going onto land. It is revealed that on top of gills, Brontoscorpio had simple lungs which allow him to absorb oxygen into his blood. The convoy then crawls away, searching for carrion on the shoreline. However, they eventually find the spawning pool where the Cephalaspis were traveling to. They proceed to attack and kill many of the fish, but are soon too full to eat, and the majority of the fish escape. One Brontoscorpio, however, is unable to feed, and must molt. It takes the entire rest of the day, and by morning, when he is finally done, the Cephalaspis have already left. Missing his chance, he simply leaves his molt behind and disappointedly returns to patrolling the shoreline. Brontoscorpio is also briefly mentioned in the Devonian segment.

Episode 2-Reptile's Beginning

Brontoscorpio is only briefly seen in the intro, where he is seen pursuing a Cephalaspis.

Episode 3-Clash of Titans

Once again, Brontoscorpio is only briefly seen in the intro of the episode, where he is once again seen chasing a Cephalaspis.