Visiting friends who lived near the Sonora desert we noticed ‘beware scorpions’ on the mailboxes and toolshed. They also had ‘black light’ flashlights (sold, I think, to spot where your pet had peed on the carpet) that did an excellent job of making scorps glow. Easier to avoid putting your hand on something when you can see it.

I also got to hear a grasshopper mouse howling (very high pitched howl) letting other mice know they were there. Had to ask what the noise was, as it wasn’t like anything else I’d heard. I learned that they were a scorpion predator.

I’ve since seen some interesting videos of a grasshopper mouse attacking and killing a scorpion. The mice are cute with big ears — but it never occurred to me to think the same way about scorpions.