Surprise! Norwich school staff says students safe after a scorpion was found in bananas
The cafeteria staff at Stanford J. Gibson Primary School in Norwich discovered a surprise while cleaning bananas Friday morning.
According to a Facebook post by the Norwich City School District, no staff members or students were harmed when a scorpion was found in the fruit. School officials believe the scorpion traveled to Norwich from Guatemala in the banana box.
The school includes students in pre-kindergarten through second grade.
According to the Facebook post, the event turned into a teachable moment.
"Instead, our High School Zoology students were able to capitalize on the discovery and feed it crickets and study it under a glow light."
"We are grateful for our employees who followed all safety protocols."
According to the Mayo Clinic, scorpion stings are painful but rarely life-threatening. The most common species found in Central Ameria is Centruroides, also known as the bark scorpion, which is mildly toxic. While most healthy adults usually don't need treatment for stings, it could have serious effects in young children.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Scorpion found in bananas at upstate NY elementary school
