2. Morphology

Here’s a breakdown of the body of Eurypterids:

Body Breakdown (scroll down for more details):

Claws:

• Enabled them to tear food, much like a modern lobster.

Eyes:  Eurypterids had two sets of eyes.

• First set:  larger, lateral compound eyes on the sides of their heads
• Second set: smaller, light-sensitive eyes in the center of their heads called ocelli.

Armor: 

• used for protection
• was generally flexible and did not restrict their motion.

Tail: 

• long and spiny tail called telson
• possibly had stingers
• used as a rudder in some cases for motion/direction

Bonus Facts:

• the order “Eurypterus remipes” had sharp pincers
• they used these to prey on organisms in lakes and shallow seas
• some moved their thoraxes, activating special stinging telson, much like a modern scorpion
• this is why eurypterids are sometimes called, “Sea Scorpions”