Are Night Lights for Invertebrates Really a Thing? – The Tye-Dyed Iguana
Scorpions âare usually quite maligned and persecuted againstâ because of their creepy appearance, according to Professor Bryan Fry of University of Queensland. But if you own or are thinking about owning a scorpion as a pet, then you probably have a different perspective. And why wouldnât you? Scorpions can glow in the dark, after all.
In fact, a lot of scorpion and other invertebrate owners buy special lights that allow them to see this special ability. How do UV lights make scorpions glow? And are these scorpion night lights necessary?
Thatâs exactly what youâll find out here.
Why do scorpions glow in the dark?
Some news sources try to spin glow-in-the-dark scorpions as something horrifying. But honestly, itâs pretty cool to have a pet that reflects visible light when a blacklight shines on it. Because scorpions are sensitive to UV light and excess heat, scientists hypothesize that this trait may help scorpions determine when itâs safest to come to the surface or perhaps where they can find a hiding spot.
Black lights, in fact, imitate the low UV emissions reflected from moonlight, which makes sense given that scorpions are nocturnal animals. If their bodies are sensitive to these low level UV waves, then objects that block them could indicate something to hide behind. This is a trait that would be beneficial in protecting scorpions from nocturnal predators in the wild.
Basically, scorpions most likely use their glow as an extra way to find their way around. Their eyes are tuned in to see blue and green light the best. And when they are in moonlight, or blacklight, their bodies do in fact glow a blue-green color.
Does my arachnid need a uv light?
Despite the apparent usefulness of this protective trait, it doesnât seem that UV light provides any additional benefit to scorpions or arachnids that glow in the dark. Your scorpion does not require a blacklight or any other type of UV light in order to be healthy.
If you want, however, you can pick up a blacklight scorpion night light to make your exotic pet look even cooler. It wonât harm it, and you can have fun showing off this interesting invertebrate feature. Low energy black lights donât heat up the terrarium, so you donât have to worry about temps getting too hot for your nocturnal pets.
The same kind of light can be used for some spiders and insects that also glow in the dark. And certain spider webs will glow, as well. You may notice a change in behavior in some fluorescent species as they react to sensing the blacklight.
Do make sure, however, that you select a blacklight that does not emit heat, and not a heat-producing UV bulb. Scorpions and other arachnids do not require heat lamps, unlike most reptiles and amphibians. Too much heat can be harmful for them.
If youâre not sure if a particular species or spider web glows, ask us at The Tye-Dyed Iguana. You can also come into the shop and check out the blacklight glowing specimens we have on display.
