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Narrator: THE SCORPION --
ITS INFAMOUS APPEARANCE
CAN MEAN DANGER,
EVEN DEATH.
THE SCORPION
IS A FINELY TUNED HUNTER
AND AN UNFLINCHING ASSASSIN,
THE VENOM IN ITS STINGER
ABLE TO SUBDUE
EVEN THE MOST DANGEROUS PREY.
BUT GETTING PAST
ITS WELL-EARNED REPUTATION
REVEALS THAT THE SCORPION
IS AN EXCEPTIONAL SURVIVOR,
EVEN A CARING PARENT,
WITH POWERS FAR BEYOND
ITS NOTORIOUS STING.
FOR SCORPIONS,
SURVIVAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN
THE PRIMARY MOTIVATOR.
450 MILLION YEARS AGO,
WHEN PLANTS WERE FIRST
COLONIZING LAND,
SCORPIONS MADE THEIR DEBUT.
THESE WERE GIANT
AQUATIC CREATURES,
THEIR SPRAWLING BODIES
SUPPORTED BY THE SHIFTING WATERS
OF A PLANET IN TRANSITION.
WITHIN THE NEXT
100 MILLION YEARS,
SCORPIONS CRAWLED ONTO LAND,
ONE OF THE FIRST AQUATIC SPECIES
TO BECOME TERRESTRIAL.
IT WAS A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT.
SCORPIONS NOT ONLY ADAPTED,
THEY FLOURISHED.
AS THE EARTH COOLED,
THEY FOUND NICHES TO EXPLOIT.
EONS PASSED,
CONTINENTS SHIFTED,
CIVILIZATIONS ROSE AND FELL.
IN THE 21st CENTURY, SCORPIONS
CRAWL THE EARTH UNSCATHED.
THEY ARE LIVING FOSSILS,
UNAFFECTED
AND OBLIVIOUS TO CHANGE.
AND AS AIR-CONDITIONING
NOW ALLOWS HUMANS
TO BUILD THEIR HOMES
IN DESERTS AND JUNGLES,
ENCOUNTERS WITH SCORPIONS
WILL ONLY INCREASE.
LIVING TOGETHER SAFELY DEPENDS
ON UNDERSTANDING THE HABITS
OF THESE REMARKABLE ANIMALS.
SCORPIONS NOW RADIATE
ACROSS THE ENTIRE PLANET
ON ALL MAJOR LANDMASSES
EXCEPT ANTARCTICA.
MORE THAN
2,000 DIFFERENT SPECIES
HAVE EVOLVED TO ACCOMMODATE
WILDLY DIFFERING HABITATS.
FROM RAINFORESTS
TO MOUNTAINTOPS
TO SUNBAKED DESERTS,
THEY'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES
TO SURVIVE IN THE MOST SEVERE
AND EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS.
SCORPIONS COULD EVEN FEEL AT
HOME IN A POSTNUCLEAR WASTELAND.
RADIATION, CAPABLE OF WIPING OUT
ALMOST ALL OTHER LIFE-FORMS,
SEEMS TO HAVE LITTLE EFFECT
ON THEM.
WHEREVER THEY FIND THEMSELVES,
THEY ARE MASTERS AT DISCOVERING
A WAY TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
THEY ARE CONTINUING VICTORS
IN THE EVOLUTIONARY ARMS RACE.
AS THEIR PREY
HAS EVOLVED DEFENSES,
THE SCORPION HAS EVOLVED
BETTER WEAPONS OF ATTACK.
WALKING ACROSS THE SANDS
OF SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA --
THE GIANT DESERT HAIRY SCORPION.
IT'S THE LARGEST SCORPION
IN NORTH AMERICA.
IN THIS ARID ENVIRONMENT,
THE DESERT HAIRY
SEARCHES FOR ITS PREY --
SMALL LIZARDS, CRICKETS,
EVEN THE TARANTULA.
THE LOCAL TARANTULA IS A SPECIES
KNOWN AS THE DESERT BLOND.
A TARANTULA'S EYESIGHT
IS RUDIMENTARY,
NOT NEARLY KEEN ENOUGH
TO SPOT THE PARTIALLY CONCEALED
SCORPION.
GRIPPING THE LOG
WITH ITS TINY CLAWS,
THE TARANTULA MANAGES AN ESCAPE.
IT'S A WARM, WINDLESS NIGHT --
PERFECT HUNTING CONDITIONS
FOR THE DESERT SCORPIONS.
BUT FOR THIS TARANTULA, IT'S
LIKE NAVIGATING A MINEFIELD.
ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS,
ITS ONLY HOPE IS TO FIND REFUGE
IN A BURROW OF ITS OWN.
THE DESERT HAIRY TUNES IN
TO ITS SURROUNDINGS,
WAITING TO SENSE
THE SMALLEST VIBRATION.
A SLIGHT MOTION BEHIND IT
PROMPTS AN ATTACK.
RESISTANCE IS QUASHED WITH
A QUICK INJECTION OF VENOM.
THE SCORPION MANEUVERS
THE TARANTULA
TO CONSUME IT HEADFIRST.
A CLUE
TO THE SCORPION'S SURVIVAL
LIES IN ITS ARCHAIC ANATOMY.
THE PARTS ARE RUDIMENTARY,
BUT REMARKABLY EFFICIENT.
ANCIENT FOSSILS SHOW
THAT LITTLE HAS CHANGED
FOR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS
OF YEARS.
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE
SLIGHT VARIATIONS
FROM ONE SPECIES TO THE NEXT,
THE BASICS ARE ALWAYS THE SAME.
THE MAIN BODY IS COVERED
BY A HARD CARAPACE, OR PLATE,
IMPERMEABLE TO WATER AND ABLE
TO EXPAND ACROSS ITS JOINTS.
CLAWS ARE USED
FOR CAPTURING AND CRUSHING PREY.
THESE POWERFUL PEDIPALPS COMBINE
THE SENSITIVITY OF ANTENNAE
WITH THE GRASPING ABILITY
OF A PAIR OF PLIERS.
CHELICERAE, OR JAWS,
ARE LIKE TINY PINCERS USED
FOR CHEWING AND CONSUMING PREY.
THEIR TWO CENTER EYES AND UP TO
FIVE PAIRS OF LATERAL EYES
PROVIDE ONLY RUDIMENTARY VISION.
UNIQUE TO SCORPIONS ARE
SENSORY ORGANS CALLED PECTINES
THAT PROTRUDE ON EITHER SIDE
UNDERNEATH THE BODY.
THEY COMB THE GROUND,
GIVING THE SCORPION CHEMICAL
CLUES TO ITS ENVIRONMENT.
THE ARTICULATED TAIL
AND ITS CROWNING GLORY --
THE STINGER.
THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY,
THE SCORPION HAS BEEN
FEARED AND REVILED.
BECAUSE THEY'RE NOCTURNAL,
THEIR HABITS WERE ALWAYS
SHROUDED IN MYSTERY,
AND PEOPLE ASSUMED THE WORST.
SCORPIONS WERE CONSIDERED AGENTS
OF THE DEVIL OR THE UNDERWORLD.
AND EVEN TODAY,
FEW PEOPLE THINK OF SCORPIONS AS
ANYTHING LESS THAN TERRIFYING.
BUT THE TRUTH ABOUT SCORPIONS
IS ONLY JUST EMERGING.
IT WAS IN THE LATE 1960s
THAT A STARTLING DISCOVERY
THRUST SCORPION RESEARCH
ON AN ENORMOUS LEAP FORWARD.
ALL SPECIES OF SCORPIONS
FLUORESCE
UNDER ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT.
THE GLOW IS CAUSED
BY A SUBSTANCE
IN THE OUTER LAYER
OF THE SCORPION'S BODY.
THIS GLOWING LAYER IS SO DURABLE
THAT IT'S OFTEN FOUND
IN SCORPION FOSSILS
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS
OF YEARS OLD,
AND IT STILL FLUORESCES.
NO ONE YET KNOWS
THE FUNCTION OF THIS FEATURE,
BUT IT'S ALLOWING RESEARCHERS
TO FIND AND STUDY SCORPIONS
AS THEY ROAM THROUGH THE DARK.
SCORPIONS ARE EVOLUTIONARY
SUCCESS STORIES.
WHAT IS THEIR SECRET
TO SURVIVAL?
IS IT THEIR FOOLPROOF ANATOMY,
THEIR ABILITY TO ADAPT,
OR IS IT SOMETHING ELSE
ENTIRELY?
THE ANSWER MAY LIE IN THE HUNT.
A SCORPION
IS AN UNFLINCHING ASSASSIN.
WITH MERCILESS PINCERS
AND A VENOM-CHARGED STINGER,
A HUNGRY SCORPION
IS BUILT TO KILL.
HUNTING STRATEGIES
HAVE BEEN HONED TO PERFECTION.
THIS DEATH STALKER IS ENGAGED
IN THE HUNTING METHOD OF CHOICE
FOR ALMOST ALL SPECIES
OF SCORPION.
HUNKERING DOWN
IN A PROTECTED BURROW
SEEMS AN UNLIKELY PLACE
FOR A SEASONED KILLER,
BUT EVOLUTION
TEACHES LASTING LESSONS.
HUNTING FOR PREY CAN BE DONE
JUST AS EASILY
FROM THE SAFETY
OF YOUR DOORSTEP.
THIS ASIAN FOREST SCORPION
IS ONE OF THE MANY SPECIES
THAT PREFERS HOME DELIVERY.
FROM ITS BUNKER,
A SCORPION CAN CHECK OUT
THE EVENING'S OFFERINGS.
AFTER DARK,
A PARADE OF NOCTURNAL CREATURES
ERUPTS ONTO THE DESERT FLOOR.
IT COULD WELL BE THE CAST
FROM A NIGHTMARE.
THESE NIGHT CRAWLERS
ARE ENTICED OUT
BY THE EVENING'S
LOWER TEMPERATURES
AND COOLING DESERT SANDS.
IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
BEFORE ONE WILL VENTURE ACROSS
A SCORPION'S BURROW DOOR.
WITH NO TIME TO REACT,
THIS WOLF SPIDER IS DRAGGED
INTO THE SCORPION'S LAIR.
A FEAST CAN TAKE SEVERAL DAYS
AND MAY BE ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN
A SCORPION FOR MONTHS.
ALTHOUGH A BURROW IS PREFERABLE,
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE,
A SCORPION MAY DECIDE
TO STRETCH ITS LEGS.
THIS GIANT DESERT HAIRY
IS ONE OF FEW SPECIES
KNOWN TO VENTURE OUT FOR FOOD.
LIKE ALL SCORPIONS,
THE DESERT HAIRY
IS ABLE TO DETECT PREY
USING THE INCREDIBLY SENSITIVE
HAIRS ON ITS LEGS.
EVEN A MEALWORM'S
SUBTLE MOVEMENTS
CREATE VIBRATIONS
THROUGH THE GROUND.
THE HAIRS ACT LIKE
SOPHISTICATED SENSORS,
PICKING UP THE TINY WAVES.
AS THE GRAINS OF SAND SHIFT,
THE WAVES
HIT THE HAIRS OF EACH LEG
AT SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT INTERVALS.
THIS INFORMATION
IS PROCESSED QUICKLY,
TELLING THE SCORPION
THE DIRECTION AND EXACT DISTANCE
OF ITS PREY.
THIS MEALWORM MAY AS WELL BE
HOLDING A FLASHING NEON SIGN.
WITH SUCH A LETHAL SKILL SET,
A SCORPION RARELY NEEDS
TO VENTURE FAR FROM ITS BURROW.
WHETHER ITS AN AMBUSH
OR AN ATTACK,
THE HUNT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.
ARMED WITH WEAPONS
OF DESTRUCTION,
THE METHOD SCORPIONS USE
TO KILL THEIR PREY
VARIES FROM SPECIES TO SPECIES.
AN ASIAN FOREST SCORPION
MOVES SILENTLY
THROUGH THE HUMID JUNGLES
OF BURMA.
THIS SPECIES IS FOUND THROUGHOUT
THE TROPICS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA.
IT TRACKS ACROSS
THE DAMP FOREST FLOOR,
SEARCHING FOR A CREVICE
LARGE ENOUGH
TO FIT ITS MENACING FRAME.
GECKOS ARE NIGHT HUNTERS.
THEY SCOUR BURROWS
FOR INSECTS AND GRUBS.
THIS SMALL LIZARD
IS PAINFULLY UNAWARE
OF THE TRAP THAT WAITS
BEFORE IT.
ASIAN FOREST SCORPIONS
RARELY USE THEIR STINGER.
EQUIPPED
WITH INCREDIBLY STRONG CLAWS,
THEY PREFER TO CRUSH THEIR PREY
TO DEATH.
THE MERCILESS GRIP
FOLDS THE GECKO INTO SUBMISSION.
IN THE DAMP, DARK CONFINES
OF ITS BURROW,
THIS SCORPION WILL REQUIRE DAYS
TO CONSUME ITS CATCH.
UNIQUELY DESIGNED MEMBRANES
IN THE TORSO
EXPAND LIKE AN ACCORDION
TO ACCOMMODATE THE FEAST.
WITH A LARGE MEAL LIKE THIS,
THE SCORPION'S BODY WEIGHT CAN
INCREASE BY MORE THAN ONE-THIRD.
IF THE PINCERS OF A SCORPION ARE
PARTICULARLY SMALL AND NARROW,
CHANCES ARE THE TAIL IS POWERFUL
AND PACKED WITH VENOM.
FOR THESE SCORPIONS,
A QUICK STING MAY BE
ALL THAT'S REQUIRED
TO FINISH OFF AN ADVERSARY.
THE SUN DROPS DOWN
OVER THE KALAHARI DESERT,
DISAPPEARING BEFORE
THE NIGHT'S DRAMAS UNFOLD.
THE BURROWING SCORPION,
NATIVE TO SOUTHERN AFRICA,
IS ON THE HUNT.
THE SCORPION STANDS STOCK-STILL,
SENSING MOTION NEARBY.
AN UNWARY CRICKET
WALKS INTO READY CLAWS.
THE SCORPION CARRIES ITS PREY
LIKE A TROPHY,
MOVING TO A MORE SECLUDED AREA
FOR FEEDING,
BUT ITS PREY ISN'T WILLING
TO GO QUIETLY.
A MATTER-OF-FACT DELIVERY
OF PARALYZING VENOM
ENDS THIS CRICKET'S STORY.
THE JAWS, LIKE MINIATURE CLAWS,
ARE USED TO MASTICATE ITS PREY.
NOTHING IS WASTED.
AS WITH ALL ARACHNIDS,
DIGESTION BEGINS
OUTSIDE THE MOUTH.
ENZYME-RICH JUICES FROM THE GUT
ARE SECRETED ONTO THE FOOD
BEFORE IT'S INGESTED.
IT'S A SLOW, METHODICAL PROCESS
OF TEARING, CHEWING,
AND SWALLOWING,
AND IT WILL LAST
WELL INTO THE MORNING.
A DESERT IN NORTHWESTERN MEXICO
IS HOME TO THIS VINEGARROON,
WHICH LOOKS LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN
A GIANT ANT AND A SCORPION.
LIKE MOST OTHER ARACHNIDS,
THE VINEGARROON
MAKES ITS ROUNDS AT NIGHT,
WHEN THE DESERT SANDS
ARE COOLER
AND MANY LARGE PREDATORS
ARE FAST ASLEEP.
UNLIKE SCORPIONS,
THIS CREATURE IS NOT VENOMOUS,
BUT ITS LONG, WHIPLIKE TAIL
CAN STILL PACK A PUNCH.
WHEN IRRITATED,
A VINEGARLIKE LIQUID
SHOOTS OUT THE END OF THE TAIL.
IT'S LIKE BUILT-IN PEPPER SPRAY,
ALWAYS READY FOR INTRUDERS.
A CARNIVORE,
THE VINEGARROON HUNTS DOWN PREY
IN CREVICES
AND SMALL BURROWS.
BUT EVERY SO OFTEN,
IT KNOCKS AT THE WRONG DOOR.
A GIANT DESERT HAIRY WASTES NO
TIME IN WELCOMING THIS GUEST IN.
WITH ITS BODY AND TAIL
TIGHTLY GRIPPED,
THE VINEGARROON
HAS NO MEANS OF DEFENSE.
WITH LITTLE CEREMONY,
THE METHODICAL FEEDING BEGINS.
BECAUSE THEY'RE SUCH
SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS,
SCORPIONS RARELY NEED
TO PRACTICE THEIR ART.
IN ANY GIVEN HABITAT,
ONLY A TINY FRACTION
OF THE SCORPION POPULATION
FEEDS ON ANY ONE NIGHT.
THE REMAINDER
ARE HIDDEN IN THEIR BURROWS,
WAITING TO AMBUSH OR JUST
DIGESTING THEIR LATEST CONQUEST.
SCORPIONS HAVE SURVIVED LONGER
THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER
TERRESTRIAL SPECIES.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS
NO-NONSENSE CREATURE
THAT GIVES IT LASTING POWER?
SKILLFUL HUNTING?
BUILT-IN WEAPONRY?
OR ARE THESE TRAITS
JUST THE BEGINNING?
SCORPIONS ARE GENERALLY
NONSOCIAL, SOLITARY ANIMALS.
MOST INTERACTION ONLY OCCURS
WHEN YOUNG
OR WHEN THEY HUNT ONE ANOTHER
AS PREY.
BUT ONCE IN A WHILE,
AN INSTINCT EVEN GREATER
THAN HUNGER
OVERPOWERS THE LIVES
OF THESE INVERTEBRATES --
REPRODUCTION.
IT BEGINS WITH A CHEMICAL
INVITATION SENT BY A FEMALE.
A MALE'S PECTINES,
THAT ORGAN UNIQUE TO SCORPIONS,
SWEEP THE GROUND INTERMITTENTLY,
EVENTUALLY PICKING UP THE SCENT
OF A FEMALE RIPE FOR MATING.
THIS MESSAGE
TRIGGERS A COMPLEX ENCOUNTER
THAT'S BEEN A POPULAR SUBJECT
OF STUDY
FOR BIOLOGISTS AROUND THE WORLD.
UNLIKELY LOVERS,
SCORPIONS ARE UNIQUE
IN THEIR MATING TECHNIQUES.
COURTSHIP IS A LONG,
DRAWN-OUT AFFAIR,
A PAS DE DEUX
THAT'S FULL OF RITUAL
AND SEXUAL GYMNASTICS.
THE DETAILS OF THIS DANCE
VARY FROM SPECIES TO SPECIES,
BUT MATING CAN LAST
ANYWHERE FROM ONE TO 36 HOURS.
THIS PAIR
OF SLENDERBROWN SCORPIONS
DEMONSTRATE THEIR VARIATION
OF THE ANCIENT DANCE.
THE MALE SOMETIMES LOCKS
AND MASSAGES THE FEMALE'S JAWS
WITH HIS OWN.
IT'S A SCORPION-STYLE KISS
AND OFTEN SERVES TO SUBDUE
THE FEMALE'S NATURAL AGGRESSION.
A SEXUAL STING CAN OCCUR
IN THE THROES OF PASSION,
THE MALE PUNCTURING THE FEMALE
WITH HIS TAIL.
IT'S A DRAMATIC
BUT HARMLESS GESTURE,
AND SCIENTISTS STILL
DON'T UNDERSTAND ITS PURPOSE.
DURING COURTSHIP,
BOTH MALE AND FEMALE SCORPIONS
DISPLAY A DISTINCTIVE SHAKING
MOTION CALLED "JITTERING."
THIS IS A SIGN
THAT MATING IS IN HIGH GEAR.
BUT THERE IS NOTHING
SENTIMENTAL ABOUT IT,
FOR THIS DANCE
IS PURELY MECHANICAL.
THE MALE DEPOSITS A BUNDLE
OF SPERM ON THE GROUND.
THE DANCE, LITTLE MORE
THAN A DRAWN-OUT TUG-OF-WAR,
IS ACTUALLY THE MALE CAREFULLY
DRAWING THE FEMALE
TOWARDS THE BUNDLE.
THIS TAKES TIME, PATIENCE,
AND DIPLOMACY,
AND FOR GOOD REASON --
UPSETTING THE FEMALE COULD GET
THE MALE EATEN BY HIS MATE.
MALES ARE CAPABLE OF MATING
MORE THAN ONCE
IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
THEY CAN PRODUCE
NEW SPERM BUNDLES
IN LESS THAN A WEEK
AND START THE DANCE ALL OVER
AGAIN WITH A DIFFERENT PARTNER.
A PREGNANT FEMALE
WILL STAY THAT WAY
ANYWHERE FROM
THREE TO 18 MONTHS,
DEPENDING ON FOOD SUPPLY
AND TEMPERATURE.
IF IT'S VERY COLD,
THE GESTATION PERIOD CAN DOUBLE.
IF SHE'S UNABLE TO FIND FOOD
DURING HER PREGNANCY,
SHE'LL REABSORB THE EMBRYOS
TO SURVIVE.
A SINGLE PREGNANT FEMALE
TRANSPORTED
INTO AN UNFAMILIAR HABITAT
CAN START A WHOLE NEW COLONY.
MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD
ARE ONLY HOME TO CERTAIN SPECIES
BECAUSE OF A PREGNANT SCORPION
ACCIDENTALLY STOWED
ON A CARGO SHIP.
BABIES ARRIVE ONE BY ONE,
FULLY FORMED.
AFTER BIRTH,
THEY'RE IMMEDIATELY HOISTED
ONTO THEIR MOTHER'S BACK.
THE NUMBER OF OFFSPRING VARIES,
BUT IT CAN BE ANYWHERE
FROM ONE TO OVER 100.
A FEMALE SCORPION
WITH A LARGE LITTER
CAN GIVE BIRTH CONTINUALLY
FOR DAYS.
THIS IS A SCORPION'S
MOST VULNERABLE TIME.
IF IT'S SEPARATED FROM ITS
MOTHER AT THIS VERY EARLY STAGE,
IT WILL BECOME DEHYDRATED
AND DIE.
ALMOST 30 BABIES ARE SUPPORTED
BY THIS CENTRUROIDES GRACILIS.
THEY'RE SUSTAINED
BY A NUTRITION-FILLED LIQUID
SECRETED
FROM THEIR MOTHER'S BACK.
COMPARED TO OTHER ARTHROPODS,
SCORPIONS INVEST A REMARKABLE
AMOUNT OF TIME AND ENERGY
INTO THEIR BROOD.
THIS EARLY PERIOD
OF HAND-HOLDING
MAY GIVE THE ANIMAL
THE HEAD START IT NEEDS
TO LAST IN THE WILD.
BUT THE FREE RIDE LASTS
ONLY UNTIL THE FIRST MOLT,
USUALLY WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO
AFTER BIRTH.
IF THEY STAY
LONGER THAN THIS GRACE PERIOD,
THEY RISK BEING EATEN
BY THEIR OWN MOTHER.
ONCE THE YOUNG ARE INDEPENDENT
THEY WILL MOLT PERIODICALLY
UNTIL THEY REACH ADULTHOOD.
THEY USUALLY SHED THEIR SKIN
FIVE OR SIX TIMES
BEFORE THEY REACH MATURITY.
BUT IT'S A LONG,
TREACHEROUS ROAD TO ADULTHOOD.
THE HAZARDS OF ADOLESCENCE
COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.
AN ASSASSIN BUG IS A PREDATOR
WITH THE SKILL
OF A SEASONED HIT MAN.
A YOUNG SCORPION,
NEW TO THE WAYS OF THE WORLD,
NAIVELY WALKS INTO THE ARMS
OF THIS KILLER.
WITH SPEED AND PRECISION,
THE ASSASSIN BUG INJECTS
ITS VICTIM WITH A LETHAL TOXIN
THAT RAPIDLY DISSOLVES TISSUE.
THE ARIZONA BARK SCORPION,
FOUND IN THE SOUTHWESTERN
UNITED STATES,
VENTURES INTO THE DESERT NIGHT.
ALTHOUGH IT'S RELATIVELY SMALL,
THIS SPECIES IS HIGHLY TOXIC.
THE SCORPION WANDERS
AT ITS PERIL.
ITS ENEMIES INCLUDE
LARGE SPIDERS,
BATS, AND LIZARDS...
...ALL OF WHICH ARE PLENTIFUL
IN THE DESERT ENVIRONMENT.
THIS YOUNG SCORPION
WILL LEARN THAT THE GREAT
OUTDOORS ARE FULL OF SURPRISES
AND STICKY SITUATIONS.
A TANGLED SPIDER'S WEB
DRAWS THE ARIZONA BARK SCORPION
INTO ITS WEAVE.
A TUGGING FROM BELOW ALERTS
THE WEB'S MISTRESS TO THE CATCH.
THIS UNLUCKY SCORPION
HAS FOUND ITS WAY
INTO THE SILKY WEB
OF A BLACK WIDOW SPIDER,
THE MOST VENOMOUS SPIDER
IN NORTH AMERICA.
HER VENOM
IS 15 TIMES MORE POWERFUL
THAN THAT
OF A PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKE'S.
WITHIN MINUTES, THE SCORPION IS
BOUND IN THE POWERFUL WEBBING.
PULLING FREE IS MORE DIFFICULT
THAN IT LOOKS.
THIS HAPPENS TO BE
ONE OF THE STRONGEST
SPIDER SILKS IN EXISTENCE.
UNLIKE OTHER WEBS,
THE BLACK WIDOW'S IS NOTORIOUSLY
ERRATIC AND TANGLED-LOOKING,
MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SPOT.
THIS SCORPION
HAS WANDERED INTO A DEATH TRAP.
SHE USES HER LEGS
TO SKILLFULLY KNIT THE SCORPION
INTO SUBMISSION.
THE OILY TIPS
OF THE BLACK WIDOW'S FEET
KEEP HER FROM GETTING CAUGHT UP
IN HER OWN WEB.
THE SCORPION KICKS THE AIR
IN A FUTILE ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.
THE SPIDER DOESN'T MISS A BEAT.
MOVEMENTS ARE STIFLED AS THE
SCORPION IS BOUND ON ALL SIDES.
THE SPIDER
WORKS WITH DEADLY EFFICIENCY,
SUSPENDING HER CATCH
IN A SILKY COCOON.
SHE CARRIES HER PREY
AWAY FROM THE GROUND,
CLEAR OF OTHER HUNGRY PREDATORS.
SHE INJECTS VENOM AND DIGESTIVE
JUICES INTO THE SCORPION.
THE TOXIN KILLS THE PREY
AND LIQUIFIES ITS FLESH.
THIS MEAL IS PREPPED,
WRAPPED, AND STANDING BY.
SCORPIONS ARE A SHINING EXAMPLE
OF EVOLUTIONARY SUCCESS.
WHAT HAS ALLOWED THEM
TO SURVIVE THE TEST OF TIME?
A HIGH RATE OF PROCREATION?
A PROTECTIVE MOTHER?
OR IS THE KEY TO THEIR SURVIVAL
SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?
DUSK WASHES OVER THE FOOTHILLS
OF SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA.
FOR SCORPIONS BRAVE ENOUGH
TO LOOK,
A HOST OF DANGEROUS PREDATORS
ARE ON THE PROWL.
WILD PECCARIES TRAVEL
IN SMALL HERDS,
CONSTANTLY SEARCHING
FOR SOMETHING
TO SATISFY THEIR HUNGER.
AS THE FIERCE DESERT SUN
FADES AWAY,
PECCARIES KICK INTO HIGH GEAR.
[ SNARLING ]
RAZOR-SHARP CANINE TEETH
HAVE EARNED THEM
THE NAME JAVELINA,
THE SPANISH WORD FOR "SPEAR."
A UNIQUE FLAT DISK
AT THE TIP OF THEIR NOSE
IS USED FOR ROOTING
AND LIFTING LOGS,
ALWAYS IN SEARCH OF FOOD.
IT'S THIS FEATURE THAT PUTS
HIDING SCORPIONS AT RISK.
AGAINST THIS MENACING BACKDROP,
SCORPIONS HAVE MANAGED
TO THRIVE.
IN THE AVERAGE DESERT,
THERE'S A SCORPION EVERY
TWO SQUARE YARDS, OR METERS.
SOME DESERTS
SUPPORT TEN TIMES THIS AMOUNT.
MASTERS OF THE ART
OF SELF-PRESERVATION,
SCORPIONS HAVE DEVELOPED
AN INGENIOUS PATCHWORK APPROACH
TO LIVING
IN THE MIDST OF DANGER.
LAYING LOW IS A FAVORITE
SURVIVAL STRATEGY,
A DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE MEANS
OF STAYING ALIVE.
HIDING IN A CREVICE IS AN EASY
WAY OF AVOIDING PREDATORS.
IF A PROPER BURROW
ISN'T AVAILABLE,
DIGGING ONE IS ALWAYS AN OPTION.
THIS ROTOTILLING FURY
CAN EXCAVATE SOIL 400 TIMES
ITS OWN BODY WEIGHT.
A FLAT ROCK SCORPION
CAN ADJUST ITS TAIL
TO SQUEEZE INTO THE TINIEST
OF HIDEAWAYS.
SOME SPECIES OF SCORPION
WILL SPEND THEIR ENTIRE LIFE
IN A WELL-BUILT BURROW,
HOPING FOR DINNER TO WANDER BY.
A BURROW IS A REFUGE
FROM THE RELENTLESS HEAT
OF THE DESERT SUN.
LIFE A FEW INCHES BELOW
THE GROUND IS A LITTLE COOLER
AND A LITTLE MORE HUMID.
ON THE HOTTEST OF DAYS,
IT CAN BE THE ONLY MEANS
OF STAYING ALIVE.
OF COURSE,
OTHER REFUGE-SEEKING CREATURES
ARE THINKING THE SAME THING.
A VINEGARROON SPRAYS
IT'S TRADEMARK VINEGAR-LIKE MIST
AT A NESTING SCORPION.
THE ACID IS STRONG ENOUGH TO
TEMPORARILY BLIND ITS TARGET.
EVEN HOME BASE
CAN HAVE ITS HAZARDS.
IF A SCORPION DOES DECIDE
TO VENTURE OUT,
IT WILL USUALLY DO SO
UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT,
WHEN MOST PREDATORS ARE ASLEEP.
EVEN THE MOST ACTIVE SPECIES
WILL ONLY SPEND ONE IN FIVE
NIGHTS AWAY FROM THE BURROW.
FOR THE MOST PART,
SCORPIONS ARE LONERS,
NOT KNOWN
FOR THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS.
AND WHEN THEY'RE HUNTING,
COMPANY IS THE LAST THING
THEY NEED.
A SPINY MOUSE
SCUTTLES ACROSS THE GRASSLANDS
OF EASTERN TANZANIA.
GREGARIOUS AND RARELY STILL,
THIS RODENT SCOURS THE GROUND
FOR FOOD.
NEARBY,
A SHINY BURROWING SCORPION
IS LOOKING FOR PREY OF ITS OWN.
NOTORIOUSLY CURIOUS,
THE MOUSE INVESTIGATES.
THIS SPECIES OF SCORPION
HAS ACQUIRED A VERY DIRECT MEANS
OF LETTING A GUEST KNOW...
[ HISSES ]
...THEY'RE NOT WELCOME.
ENTHUSIASM UNABATED,
THE SPINY MOUSE COMES BACK
FOR A SECOND LOOK.
A STRONG DEFENSIVE POSTURE AND
AN INCREASINGLY AGITATED HISS
DRIVE THE POINT HOME.
HISSERS ARE EASILY IRRITATED
AND QUICK TO DEFEND
THEIR PERSONAL SPACE.
IT'S USUALLY ENOUGH
TO WARD OFF A PREDATOR
OR AN OVERFRIENDLY RODENT.
NO TIME FOR SELF-PITY
WHEN THE STOMACH IS EMPTY.
THE DIET OF THIS MOUSE VARIES
ACCORDING TO WHERE IT LIVES,
BUT IN THIS BARE-BONES
DESERT ENVIRONMENT,
ANYTHING EDIBLE WILL SUFFICE.
A MEALWORM'S PLODDING PACE
IS NO MATCH
FOR THE QUICK REFLEXES
OF ITS PREDATOR.
SQUIRMING AND STRUGGLING
ONLY SERVE TO PROVIDE THE MOUSE
WITH SOME SPORT BEFORE DINNER.
SCORPIONS MAY OWE THEIR STAYING
POWER TO A FORGIVING METABOLISM.
WHEN FOOD IS SCARCE,
A SCORPION CAN ENTER A STATE
OF NEAR HIBERNATION TO SURVIVE.
THE METABOLIC RATE
OF A ROOT VEGETABLE,
LIKE A CARROT OR A BEET,
IS FASTER THAN THAT
OF A DORMANT SCORPION.
AT THIS RATE THEY CAN GET BY
ON ONE MEAL A YEAR,
ENABLING THEM TO SURVIVE
IN SOME OF NATURE'S
MOST INHOSPITABLE ENVIRONMENTS.
WHEN HUNTING IS FAVORABLE AGAIN,
THEY SIMPLY WAKE UP,
BECOMING ACTIVE PREDATORS
INSTANTLY.
A SIMILAR SURVIVAL TRICK
OCCURS IN SPECIES
THAT LIVE AT HIGH ALTITUDES
OR NORTHERN AREAS.
THESE SCORPIONS HAVE THE ABILITY
TO WITHSTAND
SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES
WITHOUT THEIR CIRCULATORY FLUID
BECOMING SOLID OR CRYSTALLIZED.
IT'S A LOGIC-DEFYING MECHANISM
THAT ALLOWS THEM TO SURVIVE
IN HARSH SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES
FOR MONTHS AT A TIME.
THIS SCORPION WAS COMPLETELY
FROZEN LESS THAN 12 HOURS AGO.
AS ITS ENVIRONMENT WARMS UP,
THE SCORPION THAWS
AND SIMPLY WALKS AWAY,
UNDAMAGED AND READY TO HUNT.
AND SOMETIMES THE EASIEST MEAL
MAY BE THE NEXT OF KIN.
CANNIBALISM HAS ALSO EVOLVED
AS A SURVIVAL TOOL.
WHERE PREY IS
FEW AND FAR BETWEEN,
EATING EACH OTHER IS A FINE WAY
TO TIDE THINGS OVER.
IN SOME NOCTURNAL SPECIES,
YOUNGER SCORPIONS WILL
DELIBERATELY HUNT IN THE DAY
TO AVOID BEING HUNTED DOWN
BY THEIR MORE EXPERIENCED ELDERS
AT NIGHT.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN
FAT-TAILED SCORPION
ROAMS THE DESERTS AND SCRUBLANDS
OF MOZAMBIQUE AND SOUTH AFRICA.
IT'S A LARGE SPECIES THAT STORES
AN AMPLE AMOUNT OF VENOM.
GERBILS ARE PERFECTLY ADAPTED
FOR THE DESERT.
THEY RETAIN WATER WELL
AND ARE EXCELLENT DIGGERS.
A BORN INVESTIGATOR,
THIS GERBIL IS ATTRACTED
BY ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
A FAT-TAILED JUST MIGHT QUALIFY.
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
"THE SPITTER,"
THIS SCORPION
RESPONDS TO THREATS
BY SHOOTING VENOM FROM ITS TAIL.
THE SPRAY CAN REACH A VICTIM
ONE METER AWAY.
CURIOSITY HASN'T SERVED
THIS GERBIL WELL.
THE SLIGHT BIT OF SPRAY
ISN'T LETHAL
BUT IS STRONG ENOUGH
TO REROUTE THE RODENT.
WHEN EXPOSED TO
THE UNFORGIVING LIGHT OF DAY,
SCORPIONS ENJOY ANOTHER BASIC
TRAIT OF SELF-PRESERVATION --
CAMOUFLAGE.
EACH SPECIES IS COLOR-CODED
TO BLEND INTO THE BACKGROUND
OF ITS HABITAT.
THE ANDROCTONUS AUSTRALIS
IS FOUND IN THE DESERT REGIONS
OF AFRICA AND ASIA.
IT'S A SMALL BUT POWERFUL
SPECIES.
ITS INCREDIBLY POTENT VENOM
MAKES THE ANDROCTONUS
ONE OF THE MOST LETHAL SCORPIONS
IN THE WORLD.
IT SHARES THE ARID
AFRICAN SAVANNA
WITH THE MONITOR LIZARD,
A DAYTIME HUNTER.
WITH LONG, SHARP CLAWS
AND EXTREMELY STRONG JAWS,
THIS IS A PREDATOR
TO BE RECKONED WITH.
THE LIZARD'S LONG, SLIT TONGUE,
A SOPHISTICATED SENSORY ORGAN,
SCANS THE GROUND
FOR THE SCENT OF PREY.
VULNERABLE
IN THE LATE-AFTERNOON LIGHT,
THE ANDROCTONUS HAS VENTURED
A DISTANCE FROM ITS BURROW.
IT SCRAMBLES AWAY,
LOOKING FOR COVER.
MONITORS
SWALLOW THEIR PREY WHOLE.
THIS LIZARD WILL DEVOUR ANYTHING
IT'S CAPABLE OF GULPING DOWN.
THE LIZARD
HAS DETECTED A PRESENCE.
NOW IT'S JUST A MATTER
OF STALKING THE SCORPION.
THE SCORPION IS DEADLY,
BUT IT CAN'T OUTMANEUVER A
PREDATOR THIS LARGE AND AGILE.
ITS ONLY HOPE
IS TO STOP RUNNING
AND HIDE BEHIND ITS CAMOUFLAGE.
EVOLVED TO PERFECTLY
BLEND INTO THE BACKGROUND,
THE SCORPION
IS RENDERED INVISIBLE.
ONLY INCHES AWAY, THE LIZARD
STILL CAN'T MAKE OUT ITS PREY.
BUT SOMETIMES,
EVEN AGE-OLD SURVIVAL METHODS
CRUMBLE IN THE FACE
OF THE RIGHT ADVERSARY.
A MUSCULAR NECK AND STRONG JAWS
DESTROY ALL SIGNS OF LIFE.
THE ANDROCTONUS 
 IS CONSUMED WHOLE,
AN UNCEREMONIOUS END TO THE LIFE
OF A LETHAL SCORPION.
BUT THE SCORPION
LEAVES A PARTING GIFT.
THE INGESTED VENOM COURSES
THROUGH THE LIZARD'S BLOOD
TO ITS NERVOUS SYSTEM.
THIS REPTILE IS RENDERED
HELPLESSLY IMMOBILE
FOR MORE THAN 12 HOURS.
SCORPIONS
ARE UNAPOLOGETIC SURVIVORS.
HOW HAVE THEY MANAGED TO THRIVE
IN SOME OF THE HARSHEST PLACES
ON EARTH?
IS IT THEIR ELASTIC METABOLISM?
THEIR ARSENAL
OF DEFENSE TACTICS?
OR DO THEY RELY ON AN ENTIRELY
DIFFERENT STRATEGY?
THE SCORPION IS ONE OF THE MOST
REVILED CREATURES ON EARTH,
A SYMBOL OF DEATH
SINCE THE EARLIEST OF TIMES.
FOR MANY PEOPLE,
SCORPIONS CAN TRIGGER
A DEEP-SEATED PRIMORDIAL FEAR.
MOST OF THE FEAR CENTERS AROUND
THE TELSON, OR STINGER,
THAT SITS AT THE END
OF THE SCORPION TAIL.
THIS SINGLE BODY PART
HAS HORRIFIED HUMANS
FOR CENTURIES...
AND FOR GOOD REASON.
THE TELSON
DELIVERS THE SCORPION'S VENOM,
CAPABLE OF KILLING PREY
AND UNLUCKY PREDATORS ALIKE.
THE VENOM IS A COMPLEX COCKTAIL
OF PROTEINS AND NEUROTOXINS
SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO DESTROY.
ONCE THE STINGER
PUNCTURES THE SKIN,
THE VENOM RUSHES THROUGH
THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
FOR THIS VICTIM,
DEATH COMES QUICKLY.
THE VENOM OF SOME SPECIES
IS 100,000 TIMES MORE LETHAL
THAN CYANIDE.
THE BASE OF THE STINGER CONTAINS
A PAIR OF GLANDULAR SACS
THAT PRODUCE AND STORE
THE VENOM.
THE SACS ARE CONTROLLED
VOLUNTARILY
SO THE SCORPION CAN REGULATE
HOW MUCH VENOM IS INJECTED
WITH EACH STING.
THE STINGER ITSELF IS A LOT LIKE
A HYPODERMIC NEEDLE.
IT'S HOLLOW
AND VERY, VERY SHARP.
IT'S ALSO PARTLY METALLIC.
ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF THE STINGER
IS A BLEND OF ZINC, MANGANESE,
AND IRON.
A PAIR OF OPENINGS
NEAR THE TIP OF THE STINGER
DELIVERS THE VENOM.
THE SLENDERBROWN SCORPION
IS FAR-REACHING SPECIES,
EXTENDING FROM THE AMERICAS
TO WESTERN AFRICA.
IT'S A MEDIUM-SIZED SCORPION
WITH A PREFERENCE
FOR THE TROPICS.
A RED-RUMPED TARANTULA
PICKS ITS WAY
ACROSS THE MOIST FOREST FLOOR.
IT'S A JUVENILE,
TOO YOUNG TO ANTICIPATE
THE DANGER STANDING BY.
THE SLENDER PINCERS
OF A GRACILIS GET TO WORK,
BUT THE TINY PINCERS
HAVE THEIR LIMIT.
THIS SCORPION
RELIES ON ITS AGILE TAIL
TO DELIVER THE DEATH BLOW.
THE POISON QUICKLY TAKES EFFECT,
PARALYZING SOME LIMBS,
INDUCING SMALL CONVULSIONS
IN OTHERS.
BEFORE LONG,
THE TARANTULA IS DEAD.
USING ITS VERSATILE CLAWS
TO POSITION ITS DINNER,
THE GRACILIS SETTLES IN
FOR A LONG MEAL.
VENOM VARIES
FROM SPECIES TO SPECIES.
ONE VENOM MAY BE TOXIC TO
INSECTS, ANOTHER TO MAMMALS,
ANOTHER TO CRUSTACEANS.
DEPENDING ON HABITAT
AND THE PREY AVAILABLE,
EACH SPECIES HAS EVOLVED ITS OWN
TARGET-SPECIFIC TRADEMARK VENOM
TO SURVIVE.
AND SOME SPECIES DON'T RELY MUCH
ON THEIR VENOM AT ALL.
IF THEIR VENOM IS WEAK,
A SCORPION WILL OFTEN
HAVE EVOLVED A THIN TAIL
AND GIANT PINCERS
FOR CRUSHING PREY.
BUT SMALL PINCERS
AND A THICK TAIL FULL OF VENOM
RAISE THE RED FLAG.
IN THE UNITED STATES,
THE MOST DANGEROUS SPECIES
IS THE ARIZONA BARK SCORPION.
THIS SCORPION ROAMS
THE ARID, TEMPERATE AREAS
OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST.
IF THREATENED,
IT WILL UNLEASH A SERIES
OF QUICK JABS WITH ITS TAIL.
THE VENOM IS POTENT,
SHOOTING THROUGH THE BODY
LIKE AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT.
OF THE MORE THAN
2,000 SPECIES OF SCORPIONS,
FEWER THAN
25 ARE LETHAL TO HUMANS.
AND OF THIS GROUP,
ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THEIR
ATTACKS RESULT IN DEATH.
BUT IT'S A DECEIVING STATISTIC.
DESPITE THE ODDS,
SCORPIONS STILL MANAGE TO KILL
THOUSANDS OF HUMAN BEINGS
EVERY YEAR.
THE SEVERITY OF THE STING
DEPENDS ON THE TOXICITY
OF THE SPECIES
AND THE SIZE OF THE VICTIM.
THE FIRST EFFECTS
OF A STING ARE LOCALIZED,
WITH INTENSE PAIN AND TINGLING
AT THE SITE OF THE HIT.
THE MORE TOXIC THE VENOM,
THE MORE DRAMATIC THE EFFECTS.
THE PAIN RADIATES INTO THE BODY.
THE TONGUE AND THROAT GROW NUMB
AND BEGIN TO SWELL.
THE CHEST BEGINS TO TIGHTEN
AS THE BODY STRUGGLES
TO FIGHT THE POISON.
A HIGHLY TOXIC VENOM WILL RIP
INTO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
IT BRINGS CONVULSIONS, FEVER,
AND THE POTENTIAL OF DEATH.
A FIGHTER, A RECLUSE,
A KILLER...
...THE SCORPION TRIGGERS
OUR MOST PRIMITIVE FEARS,
BUT STILL EARNS OUR RESPECT.
THEY'VE SURVIVED
THE TEST OF TIME
BY BRILLIANTLY ADAPTING
THEIR BEHAVIOR AND ANATOMY
TO ACCOMMODATE ALL EXTREMES.
BY BLENDING
A PREHISTORIC SIMPLICITY
WITH THE NURTURING SKILLS
OF MODERN MAMMALS,
THEY'VE DEFIED THE ODDS
AND THRIVED.
WITH A TRACK RECORD LIKE THEIRS,
SCORPIONS COULD WELL LAST
100 MILLION MORE YEARS,
JUST A BLINK OF AN EYE --
OR, RATHER,
A FLICK OF THE TAIL --
FOR THIS REMARKABLE SPECIES.
