Short Wave The Scorpion Renaissance Has Arrived
Jul 24, 2023
Lauren Esposito, an arachnologist and advocate for community science, dives into the fascinating world of scorpions. She debunks myths, explaining that most scorpions are harmless and play a crucial role as top predators in ecosystems. The discussion highlights the remarkable increase in known scorpion species, from 250 to over 2,700, and the significance of community involvement in discovering new species. Esposito also emphasizes the importance of conservation as these creatures face challenges from climate change and habitat loss.
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Teen Scientists Discover New Scorpion Species
- Two teenagers, Procreate Jane and Harper Forbes, partnered with Dr. Lauren Esposito to create a scorpion identification key.
- They discovered two new species, Paruroctonus soda and Paruroctonus conclusus, through community science and iNaturalist.
Scorpions' Unexpected Habitats and Abundance
- Scorpions exist globally in diverse habitats beyond deserts, from Canada to the Alps and even underwater caves.
- They are surprisingly abundant, sometimes representing the highest biomass in desert ecosystems.
Scorpion Danger is Overstated
- Only a small percentage of scorpion species, around 30 out of 2700, pose significant health risks to humans.
- Scorpions can't jump and often cannot climb walls, so avoiding them is straightforward.