[Animals]'This is the hairy scorpion of the desert: the fluorescent_predator that dominates' the US desert...

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As one of the largest scorpions in existence, the hairy desert scorpion is one of the deadliest predators in the southern United States.
The hairy desert scorpion is among the largest arachnids in Arizona. Up to 11 centimeters long, its yellow shell makes it stand out among the stones and sand. For this reason, it is also known as the yellow scorpion, documents the Naturalista database. Here we tell you everything we know about these nocturnal predators of the arid plains of North America.

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Where does the desert scorpion live?

The species was originally described in 1928, by the American geophysicist Maurice Ewing. The specialist was struck by the hard coating that protects the internal organs of the desert scorpion, which is why the scientific name appeals to this characteristic. Hadrurus arizonensis comes from the word hadr, which in Greek means hard.

In addition to this natural shell, these arachnids have a series of hairs on their claws, tail, and back. Since they are not characterized by having very good eyesight, they help them detect the movement of larger predators, as well as their possible prey. What's more, the hairy desert scorpion is among the largest in the United States, according to Utah's Hogle Zoo.

These scorpions are characterized by being nocturnal and solitary predators. In the deserts of Arizona, they only seek companionship when they reach reproductive age. Generally, females can gestate for 6 to 12 months. In total, they can have up to 35 young, which they carry around until they learn to hunt on their own.

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What do these hairy arachnids eat?
The desert scorpion is sexually dimorphic. That is, the females are much larger than the males. Although they are actually olive green skinned, in the sun they look almost yellow. At night, however, they take on a blue color, typical of fluorescent animals.

ALTHOUGH IT IS A SPECIES THAT HAS BEEN MUCH STUDYED—TO KNOW HOW TO TREAT ITS POISON—NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHY THEY GLOW IN THE DARK.

Since it inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, it generally feeds on smaller insects. Among them, moths, beetles and even other scorpions. Their poisonous sting allows them to hunt rodents and lizards. In captivity, documents the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), they live up to 20 years. However, in their natural environment, the average lifespan is much shorter, because they are susceptible to their predators.