ANSWERS: 1
  • They don't actually glow in the dark. They do, however, fluoresce in ultraviolet light (uv, "black light"), meaning that if you shine uv on them (dead or alive!) then they will emit a visible green glow. That's how collectors can hunt for them at night. From what I've read, it is unknown why scorpions' exoskeletons contain this fluorescent layer. Speculations include attracting prey -- since many insects see uv and might be attracted to the scorpions, though other invertebrate predators are not fluorescent -- or attracting mates. Another possibility is to act as a warning to potential uv-sensitive predators that prey on scorpions. Or it might just be an irrelevant by-product of evolution conferring no particular advantage at all. Scorpions are said to have poor vision in general and not see well in dim light. But just because they fluoresce doesn't mean that they see in those wavelengths. The whole thing is still a bit of a mystery.

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