Scorpions provide one of Utah's most unique wildlife viewing opportunities to those willing to lug around a black light in the desert in pitch dark.

Dan Richards is such a person. The South Dakotan became a fan of the arachnids after taking a job at Utah's Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in 1992.

"People are drawn to and repelled by scorpions at the same time," Richards said. "Few creatures draw more 'oooooohs and aaaahs' than scorpions."

Richards, now manager of Scofield, Huntington and Millsite state parks, has turned his passion for the ancient creatures into an educational program.

Richards led a scorpion hunt at Sand Hollow State Park near Hurricane last week. Lifting his 18-inch black light high as soon as the sun completely disappeared from the horizon, scorpions soon began glowing all around.

Although they can be found with regular flashlights and sometimes during the day, scorpions show up like ants to a picnic when the rays of a black light hit their bodies.

The result is a neon yellow, green and sometimes blue scorpion reminiscent of the Las Vegas strip or a velvet Elvis painting.

"No one is sure why they fluoresce. Some people think it has something to do with an ability to detect UV light so they can get out of the sun because it can kill them," Richards said. "The fossils of scorpions will even glow when placed under a black light. It is pretty amazing."

The black lights are similar to those used at clubs, bowling alleys and even crime scenes. Richards has his connected to a battery pack that straps onto his belt. He says smaller black lights will work, but provide limited results compared to the 18-inch model.

Utah is home to nine kinds of scorpions; four of them were represented among the 50 or so spotted during the two-hour outing at Sand Hollow State Park. Hadrurus arizonensis - more commonly called the giant desert hairy - danced its way into the light most often.

They can grow to be 5 inches long, but average between 4 and 4- inches, Richards said. Scorpions as small as a --inch-long were also found during the excursion last week.

Scorpion stings can be painful, but are rarely deadly. Richards has been stung more than half a dozen times, about half "accidental" and half when he was handling scorpions.

People who are allergic to bee stings will probably suffer similar reactions to scorpion venom.

Sand Hollow, Utah's newest state park, is one of the best places in Utah to go on a scorpion expedition. When planning a trip, try to find a moonless night or late moonrise for the best hunting.

Scorpions range across the state, but are most common in arid, sandy environments where they can burrow into the ground, their preferred habitat. The best time to look for them is hottest part of the year, when they are the most active.

Laura Melling, manager at Sand Hollow State Park, said scorpions are often spotted near the campground and rangers are frequently reminding parents to keep shoes on their children.

Be warned, scorpion hunts are not for those who spook easily. Stumbling around the sagebrush in the dark, hearing loud insects and being poked by branches can make one feel jumpy. The jitters can rise exponentially after each sighting of a scorpion shuffling across the sand, particularly when one is headed for someone's feet.

"With the help of a black light acorpions will fluoresce in the dark, rattlesnakes don't," Richards said about the dangers of scampering around the desert in the dark.

Speaking of snakes, Richards - who wears snake chaps when on a scorpion hunt - captures scorpions by grabbing the stinger. He learned it over the years and does not recommend others do the same.

"It's like holding a snake by the back of the neck," he said.

He suggests a pair of 12-inch forceps for handling scorpions, but warns not to grab the creature too tightly for risk of causing it harm.

Other suggested gear for a scorpion hunt includes a head lamp and safety glasses, which can prevent eye damage from looking into the black light too long. A fanny pack with water, snacks and an extra flashlight and batteries is also a good idea.

The classic scorpion stings happen when people pull on shoes or clothing in the morning only to find the creature has already claimed them for its own.

Treatment of a scorpion sting usually putting ice on the infected area. There is no need to cut the sting site to allow venom out of the body, what medical experts say is an unnecessary, and dangerous, treatment.

One of the most popular misconceptions about scorpions is that they are drawn to campfires.

"People think scorpions are coming to get them and that they are attracted to campfires," Richards said. "What is really happening is the scorpion or scorpions probably had a burrow in the area and the heat drives them out."

There are no laws regarding the collection of scorpions in Utah, but Division of Wildlife Resources officials remind the public that all wildlife plays an important role in the ecosystem and ask that people keep this in mind if they decide to take some home.

Scorpions feed mainly on soft-bodied insects. The larger varieties will eat smaller lizards and snakes, given the opportunity.

They, in turn, provide food for birds, bats, small mammals, spiders, lizards and each other.

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Scorpions of Utah

Species, where typically found

Anuroctonus phaeodactylus, Great Basin

Centruroides exilicauda (bark scorpion), Kane County

Hadrurus arizonensis (giant desert hairy), southwestern Utah

Hadrurus spadix, southern Utah

Paruroctonus becki, Washington County

Paruroctonus boreus, all of Utah

Paruroctonus utahensis, southeastern Utah

Vejovis confusus, western and southern Utah

Serradigitus wupatkiensis, southeastern Utah

Source: Utah State University; Dan Richards, Utah State Parks and Recreation

Scorpion walks:

Dan Richards will lead a scorpion talk and walk at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab on Saturday. On the walk, Richards will use a black light to look for the creatures. Call 435-259-2614 for more information. Goblin Valley, Snow Canyon and Dead Horse Point state parks hold scorpion programs throughout the year. Visit http://stateparks.utah.gov for a list of upcoming events.