Cold weather scorps.

[Nomadinexile]

For Example, Palm Springs,CA I think that's in there for at least one Hadrurus sp., anyway, it gets about an inch a month most of the year. That's not much. But if you figure out how many mister sprays that would be a month, it would surprise you if you did the math right. However, you are not trying to exactly recreate conditions because you can't. You can't have the same wind, the same sun, as deep a burrow. But they do have access more that you would think. give them some water sometimes and it will be better.

 

[AzJohn]

I'm gonna throw out Superstitionia donensis. The only time I've ever seen them is between Oct and Dec. There range does include areas that get very hot and dry, Az Sonoran Desert. When the conditions are hot and dry they go deep underground. When I've found them the temps have been around 60degrees. I'm sure that that is not the only factor to them being out and about, but it does seem to matter.

John

 

[Nomadinexile]

I'm going to add P. reddelli. There should be a few babies around this spring when people can ship. They live in or around 65* caves. The ones outside of caves see below freezing for short periods, but burrow at least under a 2" deep rock. They can sure as heck handle 65* though.

 

[Sarcastro]

C.vittatus are really tolerant of the cold.I've actually froze one in the freezer and then thawed him out..it came out like nothing happened, a little sluggish but fine non the less

 

[Nomadinexile]

It's going to be 20* tonight here! So tomorrow I am going scorpion hunting.

Well, not exactly hunting, but I want to find a couple C. vittatus, photograph them next to a thermometer, then bring them home and thaw them out. Oh, and this isn't going to be 20* for twenty minutes. This is going to be 20* most of the night! It shouldn't be above freezing yet when I get there....


*okay, so I walked away from this post thinking that this might be a problem. I am worried, that if they warm up too quickly, that it could result in damage to cells. Maybe that's ridiculous, I just don't know as much as I should about inverts, sorry. So if anyone reading this is going, "don't do it", please tell me, and add why so I can add to my limited knowledge. Ryan

 

[Sarcastro]

*okay, so I walked away from this post thinking that this might be a problem. I am worried, that if they warm up too quickly, that it could result in damage to cells. Maybe that's ridiculous, I just don't know as much as I should about inverts, sorry. So if anyone reading this is going, "don't do it", please tell me, and add why so I can add to my limited knowledge. Ryan

When My group first did the experiment we gradually increased the temp by a 1/2-1 degree every 20 min or so to simulate the natural warming process and then adjusted it by gradually increasing the heat index over time to simulate sun rise. we did the same as when we froze him, he remained in the freeze at 32*f for about 54hrs and then we started the thaw process.

*caution* a quick note not all wild specimens will be in this kind of stasis because they sense the pressure drop and seek shelter under rocks or other debris that has collected ambient heat to last the night.so be careful.

 

[Nomadinexile]

So, we went on a hike today in city park, which I've never been in, to look for frozen arachnids to take pictures of for everyone. Although I've never been to this location, habitat would suggest there should be populations of C. vittatus. I am unaware of any nearby caves, so I cannot suggest P. reddelli exist here.

I fully expected to find C. vittatus in multiple locations along the trails. But, even after 3 hours of hiking, I came up completely empty handed for arachnids, with the exception of an approximately 1/2" centipede which was active and quick on it's feet. Temperatures ranged from approximately 2*F below freezing to 2* above freezing after a night with a low of approximately 20*F.

The 3 hour hike wasn't planned. We got turned around and didn't pay attention to the trails we were on. This is a downside to walking around with your eyes on the ground looking for bugs and such, inevitable I would say. hehe.

I did see a cool little spider and a few small beetles. But mostly, it ended up just being about getting the blood flowing and getting some fresh air. The terrain was steep enough that we were down to pants and sweatshirts by 33*. A lot of fun. Nice hike. No scorpion sightings.

Conclusion, C. vittatus may not be able to be found during temperatures at or below freezing.

Next Step. Test above conclusion in area with a population I am familiar with so that variable of existence of population is taken out of test.

Pictures can be seen at link below. Only good critter picture is that of cool small spider (I think it was a spider, not really sure.) The rest are pictures of horizon and plants and a couple of funny signs. Enjoy-r

http://s619.photobucket.com/albums/tt279/Nomadinexile/Hiking in Austin Jan ninth 2010/

 

[Bayushi]

the spider you snapped a photo of is a "spitting spider" not sure of scientific name though. cool little beasties IMO

 

[Nomadinexile]

the spider you snapped a photo of is a "spitting spider" not sure of scientific name though. cool little beasties IMO

Cool thanks! Anything that can spit or shoot venom is absolutely cool imo.