The Arizona bark scorpion may be just a few inches long, but it is the most venomous scorpion species in North America. Despite the bark scorpion’s potent sting (it isn’t fatal to most humans but causes intense pain), it’s still a snack for some birds, snakes, and grasshopper mice.
Grasshopper mice, for example, are immune to the venom, and scientists have suspected the pallid bat, another scorpion predator, either has similar immunity, or is just really good at dodging the scorpion’s stinger. A new study shows they’re not nimble—ground-hunting bats rarely are—but is instead unfazed by the venom. The underlying molecular mechanism could help medical researchers develop new medications for pain…The post These Bats Don’t Let Scorpion Stings Get in the Way of a Tasty Meal appeared first on FeedBox.