Scorpion (Pseudouroctonus reddelli)
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While Texas is home to almost a dozen species of scorpions, there are only two in Austin. The only one seen in the HPG is the dark colored Pseudouroctonus reddelli, which has no common name. It is associated with caves, but is also found under rocks and logs. Scorpions are predators and hunt at night. The fossil record shows that the very first creatures to venture out of the water and onto land were quite similar to scorpions, so these arthropods have a lineage that extends back through the entire period in which dinosaurs reigned.
When scorpions are first born they remain with their mother, but soon disperse. The baby pictured below was only about ½ inch in length, but, if it survives, will grow to be over two inches long. Many thanks to Kari McWest for identifying this little tyke.
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class: Arachnida / order: Scorpiones / family: Vaejovidae / genus: Pseudouroctonus / species: reddelli
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