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Scoripon Babies

Heather Faye — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:08:37 +0000

Scorplings

We live south of Phoenix and it is late spring. I have a black light and the Bark Scorpions are out. That is all of the set up you need with a story titled Scorpion Babies. Here is the story…

The last week of May my man and I went out in the back yard to work. As I was picking up and moving things around to clean, I moved a small bucket in the garden. No sooner than the pale was moved, there she was. One of the biggest scorpions I had seen. We moved here last year and being a mother from the north I am always looking for Arizona’s creepy crawlies. I spent a lot of evenings last year with my black light flash light looking for these UV glowing, predatory arthropods (Centruroides sculpturatus), aka the Bark Scorpion. I found around five last year in our quiet community. The reason is, they have a diet of small insects and our community was an orchard only a few years ago, so I am told. They only need only 1/16th of an inch opening to slip into a climate controlled safe, humid environment. While they are seldom lethal to humans they do pack a punch with their sting (they are the most venomous scorpion in North America). As the mother of the Littles (my two little kids) I try to catch these wall climbing, night stalking, pain inflicting trespassers.

I do NOT promote the hunting or capturing of Bark Scorpions

Back to our story:

Last year every scorpion I came across I captured and froze. There were a few in sticky traps (if you live in AZ these are the best way to get rid of Bark Scorpions) and a few around (and in) our home. As soon as I spotted the female on that last day of May, the race was on. I put the bucket back over her. Went into the house to put on my kicks, grab my “Score-pin’ Huntin’ Gear”, and get this girl. As I said, normally they go in a jar (sealed tight) and into the freezer quickly. Mr. My Man talked me out of that this time. It was his first time seeing one up close and was as taken as I was with my first. With a few tiny pin holes she went into a sealed container and was put way away. I have been checking her out every few days and my oh my what is there today? BABIES!!! There are about ten of these little almost clear (they look like head lice with a tail) offspring. There are a few little round eggs and the rest of the little fellas are already up on Mommas back. They should molt in about three week (after which they will get their UV glow) and then they will take a trip to the wild, as far from people as I can find, to be released.

Now pictures followed by First Aid tips for stings:

What to do if a Bark Scorpion gets you:

Wash site of sting with water and soap
Put a cool cloth on site of sting, but do not use ice
You can take ibuprofen for the swelling and acetaminophen for the local pain

A natural remedy is to use the pulp from a prickly pear cactus and put it on the site of the sting (Personally I don’t know if I want to play with a prickly pear cactus while in pain from a Bark Scorpion sting), You also can call Poison Control (800) 222-1222 or Emergency Assistance.

Photography Portfolio~ People

Heather Faye — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:16:31 +0000

My family loves taking walks and going on adventures. We love the local parks and ponds. While we just play and have fun, I capture the moments, and the pictures are there. I have found that the beautiful blue of the Arizona sky makes a perfect back drop, while the playgrounds are painted to compliment a child’s playful glow! We love sharing our adventures both in the bright of the Arizona sun, and the beauty of the evening. I could fill page after page with perfect pictures of our wonderful days, but these are a few of my favorites, they are my kids!

~Until the next adventure……

Photography Portfolio~ Nature

Heather Faye — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:06:43 +0000

As each day passes we get the chance to experience sights like the majestic mountains changing color as the sunlight shifts, and the magnificent beauty of the sunsets! It is amazing to watch the cycle of life in the plants, flowers, and wild life. I have been lucky enough to capture the beauty of natures little wonders.