Metal Earth: Scorpion

Older than trees, glows under ultraviolet light, and nobody knows why.

Scorpions have been around for about 435 million years, which puts them ahead of forests, dinosaurs and very nearly everything else still walking. The fluorescence is the genuinely odd part: their cuticle glows blue-green under UV and there is still no agreed explanation for it. Segmented body, articulated tail, pincers out front, all of which is essentially armour plate, and armour plate is what sheet steel does best.

A small, quick kit with a satisfying amount of detail for the money. The segmented tail is the signature feature and assembles as a series of linked sections, so it comes out with a real curve rather than a moulded approximation. Laser-cut stainless steel, no glue or paint. Tweezers recommended.

Perfect for: Anyone who has ever looked at something venomous and thought, primarily, that it was well designed.

Laser-cut steel | No glue required | Age 14+