Scorpion in Libra
updated: Oct 09, 2012, 7:22 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

We had a visitor in our bathroom this morning.

Send this picture as a postcard

# # # #

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 329800	2012-10-09 07:27 PM
That'll ruin your morning glory
COMMENT 329808	2012-10-09 07:38 PM
What neighborhood are you in?
COMMENT 329810P	2012-10-09 07:39 PM
Please tell us you put this little guy outside, and let him do his job. Scorpions are very beneficial in the garden. They eat insects, spiders (darn), lizards (boo!) and even mice (that's better).
COMMENT 329820	2012-10-09 08:00 PM
We have scorpions in Santa Barbara??
COMMENT 329825	2012-10-09 08:07 PM
Can anyone suggest an article on scorpions habits and habitats in our climate? I have small dogs and worry they could be seriously sickened if stung. I'd be happy to practice avoidance, but I don't know much about their habits. Just Googling is a little too vague since they are all over the world.
REXOFSB	2012-10-09 08:19 PM
Yes, PLEASE tell us what neighborhood you're in. A friend of mine lives on Calle Poniente, near the top of West Valerio Street, and she reports that she's seen "white scorpions" on her property. She says they're almost translucent. I live only a few blocks away and have never seen any scorpions. Nor, for that matter, do I want to.
COMMENT 329838	2012-10-09 08:35 PM
I was stung by a scorpion on the foot once at my old house on north Patterson. Yes, they are here.
BLUEB	2012-10-09 10:51 PM
My 11-yo neice was digging with her hands about 10 inches deep into the sand at Hendry's beach and came across a 2" translucent scorpion. It brushed across her thigh, but did not sting her. Still, for her it was a dramatic brush with death that she told everyone about for weeks afterwards.
COMMENT 329852P	2012-10-09 11:22 PM
One more thing to avoid. I am more than willing to have these types of critters have the whole outdoors as long as they stay out of my cars and house, with a modest area to the garage, mail box and into the house that I can travel without having to deal with them.
COMMENT 329861P	2012-10-10 01:39 AM
Scorpions are predatory arthropod animals of order Scorpiones within class Arachnida. They are related to spiders, ticks and mites. There are 59 species of scorpions in California, that we know of. California has more species of scorpions than any other U.S. state. There are scorpions on every continent except Antarctica. There are 1,752 described species. Scorpions prefer latitude 23 degrees N to 38 degrees N, They prefer dry environments, but also are found atop high mountains, in wetter areas, and in snow country. Some species live in trees. They don't inhabit the tundra or taiga. The oldest known existence of scorpions dates back to 430 million years ago. Those scorpions had gills, instead of their present "book" lungs. Some scorpion species can live to the ripe old age of 30. Typically, however, most scorpions live to be three to 8 years old. Size ranges from 9mm (0,35 inches) to a whopping 21 cm (8.26 inches). Don't worry. These giants reside in Southern Africa. The mother cares for her young for two weeks (on average) or until they have had their first molt.. Then the scorplings are on their own and reach maturity at age one, or after five to 7 molts, depending on the species. 25 species (out of the 1,752) are known to carry venom that is capable of killing a human. Scorpions rely on touch, as their eyesight is extremely poor. They do hear quite well, however. (You can always try yelling at them to "go away!") These arachnids can flatten their bodies, and tend to live in cracks, under rocks and logs, or under leaves.They eat a variety of insects, centipedes, spiders, earthworms, other scorpions and sometimes mice and lizards. Scorpions sting to paralyze their prey. Or they sting in self-defense, when disturbed. Advisedly, they are not to be played with and should be left alone. If your dog or cat is stung, Benadryl is the best first aid remedy, as some pets may have an allergic reaction. A cold compress will help. Cats and dogs may show signs of swelling and discomfort, but death is atypical, and recovery within 24 hours is the norm. For humans, tylenol will bring relief and, in worse cases, morphine (opiate) is used to treat the pain. In the vast majority of cases, the sting is non-life threatening, although it may cause allergic reaction. If you are stung and feel dizzy, have shortness of breath, break out in hives and have such anaphylatic reaction, you must go for emergency treatment immediately. Usually, the sting feels like that of a bee sting or yellow jacket sting, and a cold compress, tylenol and a big dose of sympathy will ease the pain. For fun, because you read this far, and IF YOU PROMISE NOT TO HARM ANY SCORPIONS, I will share the following with you: Scorpions have a fluorescent protein in their exoskeletons. This means you can use a U.V. light (black light) to see scorpions glow a vibrant greenish blue---in the dark. It is best to use an LED U.V. light (costs about $25), although for about... [ more ]
DEEKER	2012-10-10 05:46 AM
Very interesting and helpful post, 810P - thanks!
COMMENT 329864	2012-10-10 06:03 AM
Thanks for sharing 810P.
AQUAHOLIC	2012-10-10 07:16 AM
Awesome post 810P... I just love edhat for this reason. Loved learning that a baby scorpion is called a 'scorpling'!
COMMENT 329892	2012-10-10 08:08 AM
I used to live on Marquard Terrace (near Calle Poniente), and we found 3 scorpions in the house over the course of 3 years. Yes, they are around!
COMMENT 329904	2012-10-10 08:31 AM
Out of 1000+ species of scorpions, many are so small that you might walk past one and not even notice it. Also, most have venom that is not dangerous (or even all that irritating) to humans. Beware of the scorpions very dangerous arachnid cousin however - ticks can carry a number of diseases that will alter the course of your life. As I recall, tickes kill more people than spiders and scorpions combined in most parts of the world.
COMMENT 329908	2012-10-10 08:40 AM
We had plenty of scorpions in and around our house near Camino Cielo. Two species: the small translucent and larger brown variety. Fun to watch 'em. Down here in San Roque we seem them occasionally. Like last night in the bathroom sink. I thought s/he would feel better out in the garden (put it to work!) and provided transport in our ever-present "bug jar," which is actually a paper cup, marked "bugs go here." Got black widows a plenty. Many of you do but you just don't seem them. They're black and hide in dark places and are really fast. They not fond of being turned over so you can look at their red spot.
MTNDRIVER	2012-10-10 09:13 AM
When we lived at the Trout Club, I once got up in the middle of the night in the dark and went into the kitchen for a drink of water. Noticed something dark on the floor and turned on the light. So glad I didn't step on it! Also once took sheets out of the dryer and as I shook one out to fold it, a dead scorpion came flying out of it. Couldn't help wondering if it had been in the bed with us....probably just got into the dryer somehow. I know they are around but have never seen one outside, and am constantly digging around in the mulch and leaves in the garden, perfect habitat.
COMMENT 329926	2012-10-10 09:15 AM
810, that was fantastic. I also loved hearing "scorpling". I saw the tiniest scorpion (like half the size of my pinky nail - so tiny & adorable!) when I was digging to plant native plants up in Arroyo Hondo - I just assumed they weren't down here in town, though. So interesting to find out they are here (and apparently pretty reclusive considering how many people didn't know they are here!).
RESIDENT	2012-10-10 09:34 AM
About 8 years ago I found 3 scorpions within about 2 weeks at my house on Manitou. Two were inside the house and one on the front stairs. I never have seen any since then.
COMMENT 329972	2012-10-10 11:04 AM
I found a couple scorpions at Mesa lane beach by the bluffs once. so cool!!!
COMMENT 329982P	2012-10-10 11:20 AM
There are a lot of fluorescing scorpions out in the desert. My son went on a field trip to the Mojave in high school and they just took for granted that all the scorpions they saw would fluoresce, and they saw lots of them.
COMMENT 330005	2012-10-10 12:03 PM
My jr high science teacher from YEARS ago stated that there were many scorpions in the area behind the County Bowl and would often create problems for kids climbing up the hill and trying to sneak in the back to hear concerts for free....
COMMENT 330048	2012-10-10 02:41 PM
I am a Scorpio, probably explains a few things. . .
COMMENT 330140	2012-10-10 05:59 PM
In 1972 I encountered a 5" long brown scorpion in my parents' house in Bel Air Knolls. It was inside the house and we wanted to put it outside, but as carefully as we were able to pick it up, using a pair of pliers, gripping its tail as gently as possible, we still must have mortally wounded it, as it died overnight where we placed it, in the flower-bed outside.
COMMENT 330208P	2012-10-10 08:13 PM
I forgot to add that scorpions are nocturnal. "Photophobic."
JUKINJAY	2012-10-11 11:50 AM
They have been known to hide in shoes...

46% of comments on this page were made by Edhat Community Members.