LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Park rangers at Red Rock Canyon are helping Las Vegas locals and visitors understand the very important tiny creatures that come out at night in the Southern Nevada desert: scorpions.
The night hikes, done in partnership with the Southern Nevada Conservancy, were created by Interpretive Park Ranger Sydney Tuiofea with the Bureau of Land Management.
“Scorpions are a very important part of an ecosystem and they’re very villainized. I wanted to do these hikes to teach people about the importance of scorpions and why they are so valuable for our desert ecosystem,” Tuiofea said. “Scorpions are very important because they not only help control insect populations, but they also provide food for other animals like reptiles like birds, mammals, etc.,” she said.
Unlike the invasive Arizona Bark Scorpion– which is not native to Southern Nevada and causes problems for many Valley residents– the native Nevadan species that live at Red Rock Canyon are far less venomous.
“Of the nine native species out here, the most dangerous would not even be any of them,” she said, noting that a sting can generally pose a danger to small children, the elderly, or immunocompromised.
Hikers are urged to wear closed-toed shoes while on the hike and keep a safe, respectful distance from the scorpions. Guides are trained to handle any emergencies, officials said.
Hikers were eager to go on a guided tour.
“They’re not really interested in humans as much unless you bother them,” one hiking participant said. “They’re really just out there in nature and not really out to get you,” he said.
“I think it’s good to learn more about the things you’re scared about,” another hiker said.
Using black lights, hikers can see the scorpions along the path and learn about the different species.
The hikes have been around for a year, but after some viral posts, hundreds of people signed up for the classes and joined waitlists.
“I cried. I was so excited that so many people can learn about these creatures and hopefully understand them and appreciate them like I do,” Tuiofea said.
“I would hope that the ‘take away’ that people get from doing these hikes is understanding, appreciation and knowledge about scorpions. and they are vital to and to our ecosystem. They’re not a pest. They’re an animal, just like all of the other animals out here at Red Rock Canyon and they belong here. And the desert is their home, just like the desert is our home,” Tuiofea said.
There are chances to join hikes in August and September. You can sign up online and register here.
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