I have emperor scorpions and when they are under blacklight they glow neon green rather than their normal black. I know that when they are black they are absorbing every color of the visible spectrum and nothing is reflected back, but if the blacklight is reflected back than what is the point of using it?
2007-02-03 10:43:43 · 3 answers · asked by Ghidorah 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
One theory has to do with insect-vision. Insects, many of which, can see natural ultraviolet light bouncing off a scorpion, may head toward the light. When they get too close, BAM! They're scorpion food. So it kind of makes sense that scorpions have bodies that shine in black light. They're like a living bug zapper.
2007-02-03 10:46:23 · answer #1 · answered by cyanosis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The body of the scorpion is covered in chitin (a protein) which acts as the scorpions armor; the armor defends the scorpion from predators and other bodily harm.
2007-02-03 13:57:11 · answer #2 · answered by chriso383 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check out this site: http://www.marshall.edu/etd/masters/wankhede-ravi-2005-ma.pdf
It explains bioluminescence in scorpions, but it's very dry as it is a scientific paper.
2007-02-03 12:13:28 · answer #3 · answered by kcpaull 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋