Mouse vs. Scorpion: Who Wins Deadly this Arizona Matchup?

Beneath our feet in Arizona, miniature battles rage between tiny creatures locked in a mortal battle for survival. In Saguaro National Park near Tucson, a small grasshopper mouse faces off against a giant hairy scorpion.

Place your bets. Who wins this perilous battle?

Grasshopper Mouse Verus Giant Hairy Scorpion: The Battle Begins

The tiny grasshopper mouse is no larger than the palm of your hand. The giant hairy scorpion is loaded with a potent venom that paralyzes creatures many times larger.

The face-off between the grasshopper mouse and the giant hairy scorpion. // Image via YouTube @ Free Documentary Nature

READ: Tarantulas, Rattlesnakes, Scorpions. Cochise County is Tough!

The mouse and the scorpion face off at the feet of the giant saguaro. As the circle of life plays out on the moonlit path, it looks as though the scorpion, brandishing its venomous tail, will be the clear victor.

But that's not the way the story ends.

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Desert Evolutionary Adaptions

As the battle begins, the scorpion attacks, stinging the grasshopper mouse, appearing to have dealt a deadly blow to the small rodent.

After being stung, the mouse turns the tables on the scorpion. // Image via YouTube @Free Documentary Nature

After a moment, the mouse licks her wounds and seems unphased by what should have been a fatality. In a few moments, this tenacious critter turns the tails on the scorpion - literally.

READ: Who Wins a Fight Between a Sun Spider & a Scorpion?

The grasshopper mouse grabs the scorpion, chews off the offending stinger and tail, and changes both their fates. And the mouse reigns victorious.

The Grasshopper Mouse Wins - But Why?

How is this little mammal immune to the sting of the scorpion? The grasshopper mouse has some evolutionary adaptations up its furry little sleeve. It's become immune to the scorpion venom.

The mouse is immune to the scorpion venom. // Image via YouTube @Free Documentary Nature

When the grasshopper mouse is stung, it doesn't experience pain and agony, as most mammals would.

The mouse howls like a wolf, telling the world of its prowess! | Image via YouTube @Free Documentary Nature

Against all logic, it feels relief because the venom acts as an analgesic, a natural pain reliever. The mouse releases venom-blocking proteins that cut off its pain signals from its brain, effectively turning the scorpion's weapon into a painkiller.

The tiny gladiator reigns victorious! // Created with Canva

This tiny, unlikely gladiator thrives, using its opponent's strength against it. See the full battle in this YouTube video by @FreeDocumentaryNature

"Scary" Critters Found in Arizona Homes! You Won't Believe the Last One!

Every summer, the bugs come out, no matter where you live. In Arizona, our definition of creepy crawly changes the longer you live in our state. For some, it's a right of passage to find the "first tarantula of the season", for others, it's a time of year fraught with heart-stopping fear.

We asked our Facebook friends to share the creepiest crawlies found in their Arizona homes. Here are your answers! You won't believe the last one!!

Gallery Credit: Val Davidson

When You See These 7 Snakes In Arizona, Don't Panic!

While some may bite if handled, the snakes on this list are not lethal - to humans, anyway. They all eat insects and rodents, and some even eat rattlesnakes! Here are the seven best snakes you may see find on your Arizona property.

Gallery Credit: Val Davidson