Field Notes: Scorpions (Patreon)

For our next episode of Deep Look, we’re putting the spotlight on scorpions: an ultraviolet spotlight! If you shine a UV flashlight on them in the dark, they’ll fluoresce –– creating that eerie, glowing appearance. Researchers are still unsure of why this is, but it was a lot easier for our team to find them at night, when scorpions are most active.

Producer Mike Seely worked with Dr. Lauren Esposito, assistant curator and Schlinger Chair of Arachnology at the California Academy of Sciences, to film this video. She’s carefully pinching the tail of a western forest scorpion between her fingers. The sting of this species is only supposed to feel like a mild bee sting.

Photo credit: Mike Seely/KQED

The western forest scorpion is a common scorpion native to forested areas of the San Francisco Bay Area. Biologist Jacob Gorneau of the California Academy of Sciences gently holds a western forest scorpion with large tweezers so lead producer and cinematographer Josh Cassidy could capture a shot.

Photo credit: Mike Seely/KQED

Scorpions sport unique, brush-like organs called pectines on their undersides. They drag these organs along the ground to pick up chemicals and vibrations.These sensors help them hunt for prey and even find a mate.

To film these specialized sensors, the team placed the scorpions in small glass boxes and positioned the camera so that Josh could film them from below.

Photo credit: Mike Seely/KQED

This episode premieres next Tuesday, May 4, but Patreon supporters will get a sneak peek this Friday!