Scorpion Glow Under Black Light

The horror the horror.

Scorpion glow under black light. All scorpions fluoresce under ultraviolet light such as an electric black light or natural moonlight. The hyaline layer is what reacts to ultraviolet uv light such as black light or moonlight and causes the scorpion s body to glow. As if scorpions weren t frightening enough when illuminated by ultraviolet rays from a black light the armored arachnids glow an unnatural neon blue. What we do know is the chemicals that make a scorpion so rave ready are in the outer layer or cuticle of its exoskeleton scientists call it the hyaline layer.

The blue green glow comes from a substance found in the hyaline layer a very thin but super tough coating in a part of the scorpion s exoskeleton called the cuticle. In fact scientists have found that even fossilized scorpions glow under uv light. Additionally when scientists preserve scorpion. If you have a pet scorpion you can check to see whether or not it glows using a black light but don t keep it exposed to ultraviolet light for too long or it can.

Because scorpions molt their exoskeleton every so often in order. Scorpions fluoresce or glow under ultra violate uv light turning a teal green so they are easy to find with the aid of a black light during the night. The bark scorpion and european yellow tailed scorpion also glow. The research aspect of this science fair project is to determine which other common animals will glow under a uv black light.