A Series By Wick Communications newspapers
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SIERRA VISTA - Described as a "prehistoric-looking cross between a spider and scorpion," the vinegaroon's uncanny appearance is probably its greatest downfall.
Despite its daunting exterior, this member of the arachnid family and relative to the scorpion will not harm humans. In fact, the vinegaroon eats all kinds of critters most folks loathe.
"Vinegaroons are wonderful for controlling insects and other creatures people don't want in and around their homes," said Sandy Anderson, naturalist and director of Gray Hawk Nature Center, an environmental education facility located on the San Pedro River. "They eat bark scorpions, cockroaches, crickets, all kinds of insects. But because of how they look, people freak-out and kill them when they see them."
Just because they're odd-looking, doesn't mean vinegaroons deserve to die, added Anderson, whose mission is to educate the public on how to live with different critters, including creepy crawly varieties.
"At Gray Hawk, we educate anyone and everyone about native Arizona wildlife and ecology," notes Anderson as she showcases a vinegaroon on her outstretched hand for visitors to observe.
Disseminating the truth and busting myths about all forms of wildlife - whether furry, scaly, or creepy - top Anderson's list of educational goals at the nature center.
"If you see a vinegaroon in your home, remember they're actually beneficial to have around. They don't do anything bad. They don't eat your food, they don't carry diseases, they don't chew things up and they won't sting you. So, embrace your vinegaroons and learn to appreciate the good things they do," she urges.
The Giant vinegaroon, or Mastigoproctus giganteus, is also known as a Desert Whipscorpion. Unlike their stinging relatives, vinegaroons are not armed with stingers, but are equipped with long whip-like tails. They don't have venom. As a defense mechanism, vinegaroons secrete a concentrated acetic acid that smells like vinegar, hence the common name.
"vinegaroons actually eat bark scorpions which are dangerous, especially when you find them in your house," said Perrin Turner, one of Anderson's students who has spent 10 summers at Gray Hawk assisting with the facility's educational programs. "Bark scorpions are venomous, so it's one animal we don't mind if people kill. Or you can let vinegaroons do the job for you."
Arizona's vinegaroons are a nocturnal burrowing species, venturing out at night, hiding under rocks and logs in their burrows by day. Due to its nocturnal nature, this intimidating-looking arachnid is seldom seen in the wild.
For a number of years now, school districts have planned field trips to Gray Hawk Nature Center where students learn about the area's plants, animals and ecological diversity.
While there are a number of hands-on educational projects for visitors to enjoy, living in harmony with nature is a big part of the message Anderson hopes students take with them when they leave.
"We want people to respect and understand wildlife, be it a mountain lion, a black bear, a rattle snake, or a rabbit," Anderson said. "I've found that a little education goes a long way in saving lives. That goes for people and animals."
