Scorpion Glow Under Black Light

As if scorpions weren t frightening enough when illuminated by ultraviolet rays from a black light the armored arachnids glow an unnatural neon blue.

Scorpion glow under black light.

The research aspect of this science fair project is to determine which other common animals will glow under a uv black light. Unbelievably scorpion fossils have even been induced to glow under black light after hundreds of millions of years. The bark scorpion and european yellow tailed scorpion also glow. In fact scientists have found that even fossilized scorpions glow under uv light.

All scorpions fluoresce under ultraviolet light such as an electric black light or natural moonlight. 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 hyaline layer is really strong and truly stands up to the tests of time. The horror the horror.

Because scorpions molt their exoskeleton every so often in order. 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. 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. 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.