Tropical Scorpion Shell

[Flying10uk]

Here are some pics of the Tropical Scorpion Shell which my father found while digging a hole for a fence post and I had always thought was around 1970 at the same property that I still live at now. However looking more closely at the bottom I see it has been written on that it was found in 1964 at a previous property that my parents lived at.

It was a museum which identified what it is but looking online it would appear to suggest that it's a sea animal rather than a spider despite it's name.

Imagine having a nice relaxing swim in the sea and one of these things unexpectedly finds it's way into your swimming trunks or attaches it's self to your face.

[Sapper740]

It looks like an embryo implanter from 'Aliens'.

[Surpmil]

At one time there was an old tin deed box full of shells and various odd bits of minerals etc. around here which was a leftover from my great grandparent's generation. I had the impression it was a sort of "amuse the children" box from that time. There was also a small conch and a shell that looked a lot like that one in fact. Yours has taken a fall onto a hard surface or some curious kiddo has smashed it open. IIRC one or two of the shells in that box still had the dried out remains of their former occupants inside, which would tend to invite curious children with hammer or stone in hand.

I just had a look where such stuff used to be and the last survivor is a half abalone about 8" x 5", pretty sure the Mrs. got rid of the rest.

[Flying10uk]

Yours has taken a fall onto a hard surface or some curious kiddo has smashed it open.

My father was digging a post hole at the time but was expecting to find a tropical scorpion buried 2 foot down. Possibly it got hit with the spade.