Scorpion observing in Sonora Desert?

Question

My son and I are vacationing in the Sonora Desert near Phoenix, and he is interested in observing arachnid life here (which is evidently quite diverse)-Does anyone know the best method of finding the different species, and what time, area, microhabitat we should look for? Thank you very much

Answer 1

Summer is waning, although in the arid desert the scorpions will be active for a longer time. Look near shady rocks and trees, around morning or late evening.

Answer 2

There are many species of spiders and a dozen or
more of scorpions to be found. Also sun spiders,
probably whip scorpions if the right ecological
conditions are available, and others. With respect
to spiders there are two major groups of species, one of them in forested areas, which means the
mountains, the other in more open habitats, down
into the desert. Scorpions can be found in both
areas, though different species at different
elevations. The scorpions can be hunted at night
with an ultraviolet light, which causes them to glow.
During the day they can often be found under rocks and logs. The best advice is just to go out
and look in as many different places as possible.
There are hundreds of kinds of spiders in the area,
with various habitat requirements, including a few
burrowing trapdoor spiders. Some are out in the
open in webs on plants in the daytime, other web
builders may retreat into a sheltered place during
the day and come out on a web at night. Look under rocks and logs, on and in buildings, watch
for folded up leaves on plants and see what is in
the fold. I haven't tried it in Arizona but a way that
works well in other areas is to spread a sheet on
the ground under a bush or tree and shake it
thoroughly over the sheet.