Why Scorpions Glow in the Dark

TL;DR

Scorpions and other animals in the desert glow neon green under ultraviolet light due to fluorescence, but scorpions use this glow as a sensory system to detect the presence of ultraviolet light rather than to attract insects.

Transcript

Finding scorpions in the desert at night is surprisingly easy. All you need is an ultraviolet torch because scorpions are incredibly fluorescent. Fluorescence means their bodies absorb ultraviolet light and reradiate it in the visible part of the spectrum. They glow this bright neon green color. But scorpions aren't the only animals that fluoresce.... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙂 Scorpions and various other desert animals exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
• 🙂 Scorpions' fluorescence is not for attracting insects but rather acts as a sensory system to detect the presence of ultraviolet light in their environment.
• 🙂 Scorpions can detect light with their tail and have an extra ocular light sense.
• 🧑‍🏭 Fluorescence may act as a sunscreen for scorpions, absorbing and converting damaging ultraviolet photons.
• 🦂 Scorpions' fluorescence helps them determine whether they should come out at night based on the brightness of moonlight and their hunger levels.
• 🦂 Scorpions are well-adapted creatures that can metabolize iron and nickel to strengthen their pincers.
• 🦂 Researchers use experiments and hypotheses to understand the purpose of scorpion fluorescence, testing ideas such as attracting insects and communication between scorpions.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do scorpions and other animals in the desert glow under ultraviolet light?

Scorpions and other animals in the desert fluoresce because their bodies absorb ultraviolet light and emit it as bright neon green light in the visible spectrum.

Q: How do researchers study scorpion fluorescence and its purpose?

Researchers use experiments to test hypotheses about why scorpions fluoresce, such as studying scorpions' ability to attract insects and their behavior under ultraviolet light.

Q: Do scorpions use their fluorescence to attract insects?

No, scorpions' fluorescence does not help them attract insects. In fact, the fluorescence can hinder their ability to catch flying insects.

Q: What is the purpose of scorpions' fluorescence then?

The fluorescence of scorpions serves as a sensory system to detect the presence of ultraviolet light in their environment, helping them determine whether they should come out at night and search for food.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Scorpions and various other animals in the desert, such as jellyfish, amphibians, owls, and platypus, exhibit fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light.

• Professor Carl Kloock, a biologist, has been researching scorpion fluorescence and demonstrates how to find and catch scorpions using an ultraviolet torch.

• Scorpions' fluorescence is not for attracting insects, as previously believed, but rather acts as a sensory system to detect the presence of ultraviolet light and determine whether they should come out at night.