Wildlife In The Grand Canyon
If you plan to travel to the Grand Canyon, you will find that the site is home to a number of interesting animals and wildlife. One of these animals is the desert scorpion. See how much you know, by taking the following True/False quiz about this predatory form of Grand Canyon wildlife.
Scorpions Are Insects?
False. While they are related to insects, scorpions are listed under the class, Arachnida. That makes them a distant relative of the spider. Scorpions have eight legs while insects have sig legs. Also, scorpions feature two body segments. Insects, on the other hand, display three segments.
Scorpions Are Active In The Day?
False. Like many other types of Grand Canyon wildlife, scorpions are nocturnal. Therefore, they are mainly active during the night. They hide beneath desert or canyon rocks during the daytime hours.
The Scorpion Uses Pincers To Kill Prey?
False. While killing prey is the ultimate goal of using the pincers, the pincers are used to catch the prey first. The scorpion uses its tail stinger to paralyze and kill its prey.
Scorpions Feast On Other Scorpions?
True. Scorpions eat other scorpions, as well as Grand Canyon wildlife, such as lizards, insects, and small desert animals, such as mice.
Grand Canyon Wildlife That Eat Scorpions Include The Mexican Owl, Bats, Tarantulas, And Large Centipedes?
True. Scorpions may prey on a number of species. However, they are also considered food by a number of wildlife such as birds, especially owls, tarantulas, and Grand Canyon bats.
Scorpions Glow Under Black Light?
True. The scorpion possesses fluorescent chemicals in its exoskeleton, which makes it glow in the dark.
Scorpion’s Pincers Are Called Pedipalps?
True. The pedipalps grab prey so the scorpion can paralyze its victim with its metasoma or tail stinger. The segmented telson of the tail contains a couple venomous glands and a hypodermic aculeus (stinger) – used to sting prey, other predators, or humans.
Only Some Scorpions Have Lethal Stings?
True. The Arizona bark scorpion, which measures 1 to 3 inches, has a lethal sting while its relative, the desert hairy scorpion has a sting that is non-lethal. The striped tail scorpion also has a sting that is non-lethal.
How did you do on the wildlife quiz? Did you learn some new things? If you would like to see and learn more about Grand Canyon wildlife, plan a trip to the Grand Canyon with Grand Canyon Destinations. This local Vegas tour provider offers day trips from Vegas to the South Rim and West Rim of the Grand Canyon. Find out more about the travel packages offered by this Vegas to Grand Canyon tour company today.
