Last night in Miramar we killed a big scorpion that had crawled on to our porch. I grabbed a scorpion light and walked the bushy upper beach and was stunned at what I discovered. Just in front of four lots we killed 59 scorps. They were mostly large but some babies were there also. Two observations: the scorps were not too interested in the structures and there were no medium sized scorpions, just large and tiny. I have not seen a scorpion in Miramar in 15 years and now I discover the beach infested with them.
It is "game on" now. We will be doing a beach wide sweep on the next trip.
How big were these? A few years back my housecleaner "saved " me one in a baggie on my counter for my return visit. Biggest scorpion I have ever seen, at least 4 " long. Definitely a different species than we see in the valley. She called it a Sand Scorpion
After a tad of searching, I learned that scorpions reproduce during summer, so they would be plentiful now . . . just in time for when the (docile) tarantulas come out to mate (and munch on scorpions and cockroaches). Fellow scorpions, centipedes, lizards, birds (especially owls) and mammals such as bats are among their other predators. So as long as they stay outside (with the help of well-sealed door jambs), we:
· “entertain” guests with nighttime demos on the dunes via UV light
· wear shoes after dark.
Apparently – under UV light – the large sand scorpions appear purple, and the smaller (but more venomous) bark scorpions appear green. Both are nocturnal, and nonaggressive to humans, so the “stringray shuffle” would apply to dunes at night.
"The coral snake rhyme varies from person to person, but the general premise is the same: Redtouch black, safe for Jack. Redtouches yellow, kills a fellow. The coral snake will have bands of redtouching smaller bands of yellow."
"The coral snake rhyme varies from person to person, but the general premise is the same: Redtouch black, safe for Jack. Redtouches yellow, kills a fellow. The coral snake will have bands of redtouching smaller bands of yellow."
I can never remember that when I'm confronted by a snake, so I usually just chop it's head off immediately to be on the safe side.
The large scorpion that you observed was probably the Giant Hairy Scorpion aka: the Sand Dune Scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) These are the largest scorpions in North America reaching almost five inches in length. Their weak venom is less dangerous than a Honey Bee sting. These scorps are very common on desert dunes and softer sand washes. They dig an elaborate burrow that is easy to spot in the daytime. It is usually out in the open, on the bare sand and away from brush. The entrance will be a low half moon in shape with a fan of fresh kicked loose out sand at the mouth of the burrow. It is very common as in many areas you can stand in one spot and see a dozen or more burrows. The burrow size reflects the size of the scorpion. They commonly take up residence with the Fringe-Toed Sand Lizard and live together peacefully. You can almost universally tell the potency of a scorpions venom by the size of their claws. Those with large powerful claws don't need a deadly venom, those with small claws need powerful venom to subdue their prey. I've been stung hundreds of times by the Desert Giant while digging up the Fringe-Toed Lizards, ten times a day or more. They usually got me on top of my finger, mostly just striking my finger nail. When I did get stung I was usually more pissed off than in pain. A dip into an ice chest was all it took to deaden the pain and it only lasted thirty minutes or so.
The Desert Giant feeds on soft bodied insects like termites, Camel Crickets, butterfly and moth larvae and beetle grubs that they locate on the sandy surface at night. They will die in minutes when expose to the desert daytime heat. All in all they are harmless and beneficial animals that have no reason at all to be killed. If you find one in your shack just scoop him up and take him to a shady spot and release him. The "sting ray shuffle" won't work with these guys because they will hold their ground with tail up and ready to strike. I have one of those "scorp lights" that I plug into a power outlet on my truck and Jeep. Most people would be shocked when scanning the desert in the dark with one. I've seen a hundred or more in one 360 degree scan.
And Stu......
Where was that snake seen? It is 100% harmless and looks like a King Snake to me. Don't ever believe the "coral snake rhyme" as it does not work in tropical America. All coral snakes have small black eyes as they are mostly nocturnal. The snake in the photo is a diurnal animal with an iris that can contract in the sunlight.
The snakes I ran into were in the brush on the Dunes of the East Beaches where a security guard had killed six or more that afternoon and was greatly concerned for my safety as I walked in flip flops towards him across the dunes. I didn't look too closely at them and so their coloring could be a few shades off from memory.
By the way, in over 20 years I have never knowingly encountered scorpions in that area.
What you have described is almost 100% the very common but rarely seen completely harmless unless you are a Sand Roach or Camel Cricket, the Sonoran Shovel-nosed Snake. Adults are ten to sixteen inches long with gloss black and deep red saddles over a yellowish to pink background. When walking in any dune area the narrow sinuous snake tracks you see are almost all from this animal.
The other even less seen culprit would be the Banded Sand Snake, smaller and stouter at nine or ten inches in length. This snake has glossy black bands over a reddish orange background. They feed on even smaller sand dwelling insects and "swim" through the sand rather than over it as does the one mentioned above. Their tracks are distinctive as they leave a sunken look where the sand has caved in behind as the snake burrows along.
As par for the course in Mexico, any animal brightly colored in red or black, whether fish, snake, lizard or bug is smashed to death without any consideration at all......ever!
One thing to always be aware of is that the flora and fauna of Rocky Point and some miles southward is the southern extension of the low dry sandy Colorado Desert that begins up at Palm Springs, through Yuma and on into Sonora.
Where was that snake seen? It is 100% harmless and looks like a King Snake to me. Don't ever believe the "coral snake rhyme" as it does not work in tropical America. All coral snakes have small black eyes as they are mostly nocturnal. The snake in the photo is a diurnal animal with an iris that can contract in the sunlight.
JJ
That snake was seen on Google. I've never seen a snake in Penasco. I was simply looking for something that fit what JimMc was describing with "Mexico."
And I don't chop snake's heads off, either. Although that's a common reaction from nearly everyone. "GET THE SHOVEL!!!!"
There really aren't many snakes around Penasco proper, it's just too salty and lacks natural prey animals for the bigger ones.
I did see a large Red Racer on the beach at the end of Sinaloa two years ago. It was making a dash for the Sea across the hot beach sand and went right into the small surf. I rescued it and put it in the shade by those rotting concrete monuments to real estate ripoffs and it took off right back to the surf. Maybe someone released it there or it had a date in San Felipe BC. Last I saw it was swimming out to sea.
I've seen others, mostly Red Racers and Patch-nosed Snakes in the daytime along Bahia San Jorge hunting in the mud dwelling Pickleweed and in the Saltbush just above the high tide zone. There are always lots of lizards in that habitat. Last spring I found the tracks of a large snake that seemed to follow the outgoing tide along Salinas Point. I must have followed it for a half mile then there it was! An adult Western Diamiond Rattlesnake feisty as hell. I tried to shoo him back to the dunes but he was determined to swim out to sea, maybe had a date on Isla San Jorge? The backside of the dunes there is perfect habitat for them, lots thick brush, ground squirrels, wood rats and cottontails.
Now back inland is another thing all together. Once you head east and get past the old Desert Oasis you are in some serious snake country. Just go out there after dark, especially now as fall approaches and it starts cooling off at night, you will certainly see the very common Sidewinder Rattlesnake as well as several smaller sand dwellers as I mentioned above and the common others to include the Sonoran Bull Snake, the Long-nosed Snake, the Desert Glossy Snake and the hefty Wester Diamond Rattlesnake in the bushy washes.
Good hunting! As a matter of fact I'm planning on a nighttime desert run in my Wrangler TJ out that way this Saturday night.
We had 2 snakes stuck between our screen and sliding glass door in Miramar. I thought they were dead, until they started moving at my husband capturing them. We both didn't realize they were rattlesnakes until after we released them into the dunes behind our house and enlarged the pictures. Next time take pics, enlarge, and make sure they are not poisonous.
In Cholla backing up to the mountains you will find more than a few side winder rattle snakes.
A couple of years ago in April a local was doing clean up around a house and was bitten by 2 different SW snakes.
Found a den of them and uncovered them which they didn't like.
In 20 years I have only seen 2 rattlers while hiking the trail behind my house at Pinto Point.
They were sunning them selves on the rocks in the early spring.
I've always thought that the granite rocks at La Cholla would be primo habitat for the nastiest of all north American rattlers, the Mojave Rattlesnake. Although smaller than the Western Diamond Rattlesnake they sport a deadly mix of both hemotoxic and neurotoxic venom with the intent of rendering their prey immediately helpless then begin the digestion process inside the victim while the snake waits safely nearby. All of the local desert mountain ranges are loaded with them. I even found one a few years back in the dunes west of Yuma where only a Sidewinder would be expected. It would be very unlikely for a Sidewinder to be up in those rocks as their standard mode of transportation is pushing against soft dune sand of which Competition Hill would be perfect and most of the rest of rocky La Cholla would not.
Back to the Tarantula issue..........
The large Tarantulas that we see in the fall are ALL fully grown adult males out searching for a one time only romantic experience. Upon reaching adult age they leave the safety and comfort of their burrows that they have lived in since juvenile spiderhood which might have been ten or twelve years. They wait until the summer heat subsides then go wandering. They are looking for adult females that will never leaver their burrow and may live as long as thirty years! If the female accepts and invites him in they get lovey dovey for a few days, do the sexy thing then she EATS HIM! That juicy meal will provide nutrition for her several hundred soon to be produced eggs. The tiny spiderlings will emerge from the safety of mom's burrow then seek out a small hole or crevice in the ground where it will continually enlarge as it grows until it might be two inches in diameter and fifteen or twenty inches deep. Our Tarantulas are known as "sit and wait" predators. They never venture more than a foot or so from the safety of their burrow. They capture their prey by laying out an array of silk trip lines in all directions around the burrow. The trip lines come together on the edge of the burrow and the spider patiently waits with it's front legs touching the silk lines. When something comes in contact with any silk strand in the silk array the spider can instantly determine if it is a cricket or a blundering Desert Tortoise. If the catch seems right the spider rushes out to the exact spot on the silk array and by sheer might overpowers the prey with it's strong legs and huge killing fangs. Like lighting, it drags the victim back to the burrow and down it goes. Those males that we see wandering in the fall have no reason to hunt or eat as their only remaining function in life is to reproduce and offer sustenance to the soon to arrive offspring.
I've kept a few over the years, offered them grasshoppers and crickets which they sometimes eat, but always wear themselves out trying to escape and die. Best to just leave them alone. The Tarantula Hawk Wasp has no interest in the adult males, only the fat juice females that think they are safe down below.
Some advice......do not ever touch the back of a male desert tarantula, don't ever let your dog sniff at a male desert tarantula, you will regret it! That my friends is another story.
I've always thought that the granite rocks at La Cholla would be primo habitat for the nastiest of all north American rattlers, the Mojave Rattlesnake. Although smaller than the Western Diamond Rattlesnake they sport a deadly mix of both hemotoxic and neurotoxic venom with the intent of rendering their prey immediately helpless then begin the digestion process inside the victim while the snake waits safely nearby. All of the local desert mountain ranges are loaded with them. I even found one a few years back in the dunes west of Yuma where only a Sidewinder would be expected. It would be very unlikely for a Sidewinder to be up in those rocks as their standard mode of transportation is pushing against soft dune sand of which Competition Hill would be perfect and most of the rest of rocky La Cholla would not.
Back to the Tarantula issue..........
The large Tarantulas that we see in the fall are ALL fully grown adult males out searching for a one time only romantic experience. Upon reaching adult age they leave the safety and comfort of their burrows that they have lived in since juvenile spiderhood which might have been ten or twelve years. They wait until the summer heat subsides then go wandering. They are looking for adult females that will never leaver their burrow and may live as long as thirty years! If the female accepts and invites him in they get lovey dovey for a few days, do the sexy thing then she EATS HIM! That juicy meal will provide nutrition for her several hundred soon to be produced eggs. The tiny spiderlings will emerge from the safety of mom's burrow then seek out a small hole or crevice in the ground where it will continually enlarge as it grows until it might be two inches in diameter and fifteen or twenty inches deep. Our Tarantulas are known as "sit and wait" predators. They never venture more than a foot or so from the safety of their burrow. They capture their prey by laying out an array of silk trip lines in all directions around the burrow. The trip lines come together on the edge of the burrow and the spider patiently waits with it's front legs touching the silk lines. When something comes in contact with any silk strand in the silk array the spider can instantly determine if it is a cricket or a blundering Desert Tortoise. If the catch seems right the spider rushes out to the exact spot on the silk array and by sheer might overpowers the prey with it's strong legs and huge killing fangs. Like lighting, it drags the victim back to the burrow and down it goes. Those males that we see wandering in the fall have no reason to hunt or eat as their only remaining function in life is to reproduce and offer sustenance to the soon to arrive offspring.
I've kept a few over the years, offered them grasshoppers and crickets which they sometimes eat, but always wear themselves out trying to escape and die. Best to just leave them alone. The Tarantula Hawk Wasp has no interest in the adult males, only the fat juice females that think they are safe down below.
Some advice......do not ever touch the back of a male desert tarantula, don't ever let your dog sniff at a male desert tarantula, you will regret it! That my friends is another story.
JJ
This romantic description not to different from humans.
This romantic description not to different from humans.
ernesto said:
How big were these? A few years back my housecleaner "saved " me one in a baggie on my counter for my return visit. Biggest scorpion I have ever seen, at least 4 " long. Definitely a different species than we see in the valley. She called it a Sand Scorpion
Most of these scorps wer 2.5-4 inches long. We were pretty shocked as to the high number and large sizes.
I can remember back in the early 70's summers sleeping on the ground a few hundred feet from my then non-existant condo, behind the dune just one hundred feet north of the then non-existant Ave Sinaloa. Never felt em crawl in but the next morning shook out my sleeping bag to drape over a rope and dry out from the sweat and humidity, as two or three big pissed off yellow-green ones fell out onto the sand.
I always seem to have a few scorpions in the house stuck to my pest control sticky pads. They are always the small variety maybe up to 1.5 inches at most but usually smaller. When I open the house at night I do a quick sweep with a black light in case one or more were able to make their way around the sticky traps.
As for snakes, yep sidewinder in the dunes by the beach a few times. There were also a bunch of snakes, little guys, in the planters on the road right behind Bella Vita a while back. There were maybe 20 or more with their heads sticking out of holes at night. Reminded me of Garden Eels off Loreto when I was diving there. There are palm trees in the planters with a drip system so I figured they moved in there as they had a water supply as well as mice for food.
How did I know that this topic would flush JJ out of silence to present a wealth of interesting info? (These kinds of threads are what drive me to the Forum, and are a window into the teeming life out there in the desert.)
JJ, the SW snakes that bit the guy were close to a house in a sandy area to the south of the Cholla road just past the Police station.
The snakes I saw sunning themselves were really close to a sandy wash behind my place, I didn't check the variety.
I bet Rick (Pinto Point) probably has seen some since his place sits above this wash.
As for Mohave rattlers, I sure hope there aren't any in Cholla.
When I was in college during the late 70's, I took a Natural History of AZ class and we went on a night time field trip
to the Rio Verde area northeast of Scottsdale to collect rattlers for ASU's reptile dept.
On the road across from the Pinnacle Peak Steak house we saw a rattle snake crossing the road so we stopped and collected it, (not an easy score),
placed it in a pillow case and into the ice chest it went. It was hissing and spitting so badly we ended up putting it in the trunk of our car.
We collected two other rattlers which were easy compared to the first one.
At the show and tell our teacher displayed everyones snakes and when he was removing from the pillow case our big snake he screamed for
the group to move back because we had a pissed off 40-44" Mohave rattler with 8-9 rattles. (He had it restrained with his snake stick).
He cursed at us for being stupid to collect this snake (like we knew it was a Mohave) and described how both of the toxins work,
he was also was very relieved non of us were bitten.
The Mohave we caught was very aggressive compared to the two Diamondbacks we also caught that night.
Off to ASU's research dept that Mohave went, The 3 of us that caught it were very lucky none of us were bitten that night.
That night is on my list of stupid things I have done during my life.
JJ, the SW snakes that bit the guy were close to a house in a sandy area to the south of the Cholla road just past the Police station.
The snakes I saw sunning themselves were really close to a sandy wash behind my place, I didn't check the variety.
I bet Rick (Pinto Point) probably has seen some since his place sits above this wash.
As for Mohave rattlers, I sure hope there aren't any in Cholla.
When I was in college during the late 70's, I took a Natural History of AZ class and we went on a night time field trip
to the Rio Verde area northeast of Scottsdale to collect rattlers for ASU's reptile dept.
On the road across from the Pinnacle Peak Steak house we saw a rattle snake crossing the road so we stopped and collected it, (not an easy score),
placed it in a pillow case and into the ice chest it went. It was hissing and spitting so badly we ended up putting it in the trunk of our car.
We collected two other rattlers which were easy compared to the first one.
At the show and tell our teacher displayed everyones snakes and when he was removing from the pillow case our big snake he screamed for
the group to move back because we had a pissed off 40-44" Mohave rattler with 8-9 rattles. (He had it restrained with his snake stick).
He cursed at us for being stupid to collect this snake (like we knew it was a Mohave) and described how both of the toxins work,
he was also was very relieved non of us were bitten.
The Mohave we caught was very aggressive compared to the two Diamondbacks we also caught that night.
Off to ASU's research dept that Mohave went, The 3 of us that caught it were very lucky none of us were bitten that night.
That night is on my list of stupid things I have done during my life.
No snakes for me in Cholla. I have seen Coyotes, Quail, Osprey, Iguanas, Rabbits, Skunks, Scorpions, Owls, Mice, Rats and what look like Chipmunk's.
Rick, I'm surprised, my wife and I hike the wash towards Sandy beach where your garages are and saw a rattler sunning himself on a rock not 30 feet from your garages in March.
I can add to your list, plenty of cockroaches, plenty of scorpions, saw a couple of tarantula migrations over the years, foxes, centipedes and a cricket variety that actually bits or stings you.
How big were these? A few years back my housecleaner "saved " me one in a baggie on my counter for my return visit. Biggest scorpion I have ever seen, at least 4 " long. Definitely a different species than we see in the valley. She called it a Sand Scorpion
The big scorps were 2.5- 4 inches long, some were pretty fat. There were no middle size scorps so I wonder if the big ones are eating the little ones.
Rick, I'm surprised, my wife and I hike the wash towards Sandy beach where your garages are and saw a rattler sunning himself on a rock not 30 feet from your garages in March.
I can add to your list, plenty of cockroaches, plenty of scorpions, saw a couple of tarantula migrations over the years, foxes, centipedes and a cricket variety that actually bits or stings you.
I guess when I am down there I am always working on the house. I did see two Tarantulas last time I was down. I am getting ready to go down Oct 6th can't wait.
Your tale reminds me of one of my own IGNORANT experiences.
Sept 1979 Persian Gulf coastal desert of Iran, much like Bahia San Jorge Sonora.
I spot an abandoned fish camp on the beach, maybe six mud and brush huts filled with all kinds of important fishing junk left unguarded since Muslums would never steal anything from another Mud-Slum. I'm flipping over the crap mostly looking for lizards when I heave over a filthy flea and bedbug infested wood bed frame and behold a beautiful snake in the litter below. It was about four feet long, kinda slender, speckled in dark brown over a cream background with very large piercing eyes. It showed no aggressive activity at all and was rather oddly completely fearless allowing me to just pick it up, look it over and dump it in a pillow case.
Later, after five or six hours of bumping along in my 1942 Willys Jeep across the desert and beach and back at the "hotel" I decide to dump it on the bed and give it a closer inspection. The instant that super pissed off snake hits the sheets it rears it's head up about two feet and spreads it's neck bones and skin into the perfect warning hood of the deadly Egyptian Cobra! Wife screams WTF is that thing and I scream get the hell outta here NOW!
Well that critter is now coiled up in a gallon jar of alcohol on a shelf here in my office in Yuma. Probably still enough venom left in it to kill a half dozen grown men.
JJ, Seems like we all have a WTF did I do, lists.
When we were in South Africa earlier this year, we were visiting the site where the discovery of Lucy was made, "The Cradle of Humankind" and there were warning
signs everywhere with pictures of cute little cobras on them.
Just as we were leaving I saw a long dark skinny snake move quickly across the wide entrance walkway into the tall grass.
I told to my wife and her brother, but it was gone in a flash.
I am sure your snake is pretty still venomous.
I was changing out my toilet float assy. and while cleaning out the tank sand, ended up with a dead scorpions stinger in my finger,
it swelled up, hurt and was numb for 2-3 days. I'm sure it had been in the tank for awhile.
I guess when I am down there I am always working on the house. I did see two Tarantulas last time I was down.
I am getting ready to go down Oct 6th can't wait.
We'll be down the 14th, last time we saw tarantulas, there were more than 100 cruising towards your place a few years before you started building.
It was night time and we were riding our ATV's to JJ's, so we didn't stick around, the ladies with us were freaking out, they were everywhere.
Next day, no sign of them anywhere.
We'll be down the 14th, last time we saw tarantulas, there were more than 100 cruising towards your place a few years before you started building.
It was night time and we were riding our ATV's to JJ's, so we didn't stick around, the ladies with us were freaking out, they were everywhere.
Next day, no sign of them anywhere.
They do that during mating season. Years ago, we tried our best to dodge them on the road. Stopped on the beach road and let one climb partially up a (booted, jeaned) leg. Beautiful critters . . . .
One of my favorite fish to cook whole is huachinango (red snappers). I always gill and gut them fresh, but leave the scales and head on, then vacuum pack and freeze a couple of them for a yummy meal at a later time. We stuff the gut cavity and head with a fajita mix of onions and peppers, butter, some spices, then wrap and grill. Everybody picks the fish off the bone to make their own tacos. BUT FIRST, you have to scale the fish. Leaving the head and scales protects the meat and the fish freezes in a much better state than just fillets. Tastes perfectly fresh this way.
I yank one out of the freezer, been in their maybe 4 months. Thaw it in the sink, then take it out back to scale it. I just use a butter knife and rub the scales the wrong way and they pop right off. A rub-rub here, rub-rub there, scales flying off, then OUCH! Pricked my thumb on a top dorsal fin spine, enough to draw blood, but no biggie. Washed it off with the hose, then cooked the fish, thinking nothing more about it.
Next day, my thumb was swollen up like a bratwurst and wicked sore! Stayed that way for about two weeks. Even several months later, I'd get wicked pain in that thumb every time I put pressure anywhere near the area where I got poked. Took a long time to return to normal.
Note to self: Always watch those fins, even on long dead fish!
O.K. We are loaded with scorp hunting gear: blacklight headlamp & two large blacklight flashlights, extra long handled needle nose pliers and my new idea for scorpion beach extermination: a sharp machete.
They like the dunes by the beach. They've always been there, although maybe more prolific this fall than most. Without a UV-light search, most beachgoers are blissfully unaware after sundown. The only time in 20 years I got stung was at sundown, carrying chair and cooler up the dune . . . . tripped and fell onto one. The only time a scorpion was discovered inside was about 20 years ago, for the first year after construction (which is often common in the desert) a couple were found. Then nothing . . . . until a few weeks ago when one of those big ones lumbered across the room. I would call it at least 4 inches . . . probably 5. Gently escorted it out the door with a broom. (Admittedly had been leaving the door open during morning coffee for my older dog, who isn't so fluid with the doggy door lately. Now I have religion!)
Used to live on a rocky mountain side in Casa Grande. We had to cut back into the mountain to make the pad for the house.
As Edna goes Antifalastic , SP, I had to go out ever night or so with the black light and a plumbers torch to kill Scorps. It was not uncommon to kill 15 to 25 every time out.
The reason for the torch was they would run down into the rocks but the heat would follow and kill them.
When you say out on the sand, do you mean by the beach, or behind the road?
On the beach side of your house in and around the bushes and succulents. The number of scorps drops as you get closer to the beach and across the beach trail the guards drive on. We have not ventured beyond 2-3 lots in in either direction of my house but I would use the infestation word to describe the scene. Still, with over 200 kills in 2 trips we are shocked. We intend to make a sweep from lot to lot to see what we find. I do think that as the nights cool we are unlikely to see so many.
The scorps have been there for decades . . . wlll feed on themselves and feed other critters for decades . . .without our help . . . . all is well. . . . .
Haven't got a blue light to check our grounds or beach, but have never seen one in our condo in 12 years nor any other owner say they have seen one. Now friends have them in house in las conchas.
The scorps have been there for decades . . . wlll feed on themselves and feed other critters for decades . . .without our help . . . . all is well. . . . .
Not well for me. I wondered if they were indigenous or brought in with construction materials. So interesting that in 20 years we never noticed them.
Not well for me. I wondered if they were indigenous or brought in with construction materials. So interesting that in 20 years we never noticed them.
They’re indigenous. Have always been there. Without a UV light at night no one is usually the wiser. That said, if they’re more prolific this year, it might just be what we call “The week / month /year of the _____” (Fill in the blank. Sometimes it’s mice. Sometimes it’s rattlers. Sometimes it’s ground squirrels. Sometimes it’s black widows . . . etc.) Same thing seems to happen along the shore. The week / month / year of whatever. Sometimes it’s sand dollars. Sometimes its (dead) sea lions. Sometimes its ducks. Also, don’t know if you have any around there, but I’ve heard that new construction will stir things up and cause a lot of scorpion traffic for awhile.
They’re indigenous. Have always been there. Without a UV light at night no one is usually the wiser. That said, if they’re more prolific this year, it might just be what we call “The week / month /year of the _____” (Fill in the blank. Sometimes it’s mice. Sometimes it’s rattlers. Sometimes it’s ground squirrels. Sometimes it’s black widows . . . etc.) Same thing seems to happen along the shore. The week / month / year of whatever. Sometimes it’s sand dollars. Sometimes its (dead) sea lions. Sometimes its ducks. Also, don’t know if you have any around there, but I’ve heard that new construction will stir things up and cause a lot of scorpion traffic for awhile.
Yes, construction gets everything moving. There must be a heck of a lot of food sources on the beach to support such a huge population. I’ve been studying up on scorps and some varieties can live for more than 10 years. When we end up nuking ourselves I’m sure the scorps and roaches will be left to inherit the leftovers.
