Stinging Scorpion vs. Pain-Defying Mouse | Deep Look

There's a chemical arms race going on in the Sonoran Desert between a highly venomous scorpion and a particularly ferocious mouse. The outcome of their battle may one day change the way doctors treat pain in people.
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Commonly found in the Sonoran Desert, the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is the most dangerous scorpion in the continental United States. According to Keith Boesen, Director of the Arizona Poison & Drug Information Center, about 15,000 Americans report being stung by scorpions every year in the U.S. The worst stings, about 200 annually, are attributed to this one species. Its sting can cause sharp pain along with tingling, swelling, numbness, dizziness, shortness of breath, muscular convulsions, involuntary eye movements, coughing and vomiting. Children under two years old are especially vulnerable. Since 2000, three human deaths have been attributed to the Arizona bark scorpion in the United States, all within Arizona.
But there is one unlikely creature that appears unimpressed. While it may not look the part, the Southern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys torridus) is an extremely capable hunter. It fearlessly stalks and devours any beetles or grasshoppers that have the misfortune to cross its path. But this mouse has a particular taste for scorpions.
The scorpion venom contains neurotoxins that target sodium and potassium ion channels, proteins embedded within the surface of the nerve and muscle cells that play an important role in regulating the sensation of pain. Activating these channels sends signals down the nerves to the brain. That’s what causes the excruciating pain that human victims have described as the feeling like getting jabbed with a hot needle. Others compare the pain to an electric shock. But the grasshopper mouse has an entirely different reaction when stung.
Within the mouse, a special protein in one of the sodium ion channels binds to the scorpion’s neurotoxin. Once bound, the neurotoxin is unable to activate the sodium ion channel and send the pain signal. Instead it has the entirely opposite effect. It shuts down the channel, keeping it from sending any signals, which has a numbing effect for the mouse.
--- How many species of scorpion are there?
There are almost 2,000 scorpion species, but only 30 or 40 have strong enough poison to kill a person.
--- Are scorpions insects?
Scorpions are members of the class Arachnida and are closely related to spiders, mites, and ticks.
--- Where do Arizona bark scorpions live?
Commonly found in the Sonoran Desert, the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is the most dangerous scorpion in the continental United States. The Arizona bark scorpion’s preference for hanging to the underside of objects makes dangerous encounters with humans more likely.
Read the entire article on KQED Science:
ww2.kqed.org/sc...
For more information:
Michigan State University Venom Evolution: venomevolution....
Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability at the California Academy of Sciences: www.calacademy....
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#deeplook

[@junezhang2128]

1:39 That's the cutest war cry I've ever seen.

[@moogaming6899]

you cant see a war cry you hear it but yeah that was cute

[@getreal5895]

REEEEEEE

[@lancelnce]

Most old or deaf people can't hear this cry. Sad

[@_bully_dogs]

It sounds like the WW1 whistle

[@Jalerbo]

REEEEEEEEEEE

[@Sn1ckersB0y41]

imagine dealing with that everytime you wanna eat

[@no-cn5pz]

+Serious Business Goes with you prof pic

[@FecalMatador]

34567andUpToTheEnd Inhumane? Please stop.

[@aos757]

Did you even watch the video? The stings don't hurt because the venom of the scorpion act as an analgesic to the mouse

[@Nemo7The7Pirate7]

my mother in law is a scorpion.

[@plokijum]

This pasta is painful the first few bites but is delicious.

[@CoronadeDeus]

And here at 1:39 you can see the mighty mouse open his carnivorous jaw and let out a devastating rawr, such power.

[@remochii]

Corona de Deus aww ♡

[@ayybomb5776]

Lol. Period.

[@plokijum]

Ferocious

[@MrBoo88]

Here is a better video to hear its scream kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6fZm5p6fqhmm5Y

[@justjoking5252]

*_AHHHHH!_* _The mouse's ghostly howl, stakes claim to-_

[@Graphomite]

"I'm hungry. Guess it's time to get stabbed multiple times in the face."

[@skyelouisekowe]

Kinky

[@lps_adeline835]

Graphomite Lol!

[@brokenacoustic]

ow. ow ow ow. owwww. owowowowowowowowowowowowow.

[@naomipalibino1298]

acousticpsychosis that's sounds a lot like peridot from Steven universe

[@brokenacoustic]

I dont know what that means lol

[@azzammehdi5520]

"Do not be fooled by its cuteness" *mouse then proceeds to assault you with its cuteness*

[@calxis7211]

I wanted the scorpion to win ; ~ ;

[@baseafterbase1048]

Blank Artist ok?

[@baseafterbase1048]

Kermit The Frog kk

[@TheCAMDENRULES]

Anyone else get uneasy when the scorpion kept stinging the mouse?

[@Turbyo]

yea lol I was like mouse just pull its stinger off lol

[@kro690]

+Jennings indeed !! haha my face was like the mouse face in each hit haha

[@LuisCampos-entertainment]

+Jennings i got paralyzed instantly just by watching it.

[@1BrknHrtdRomeo]

In the face no less -.- yowch...

[@jasonk7675]

it's funny.

[@bluetannery1527]

Appreciate that the mouse closes its eyes before attacking - don't wanna get stung in the retina lmao

[@Thesnakerox]

Technically the mouse would be most likely to get stung in the cornea or the sclera. The stinger would have to REALLY puncture the eye to even get close to hitting the retina.

[@mouse36]

lmouse

[@sheer9203]

@@Thesnakerox 40’th like

[@Zaxares]

Pretty much. The mouse might be immune to the scorpion's venom, but letting your eyes punctured by the sting still wouldn't be a good idea. I'm not sure if it would be enough to cause blindness in itself, but it could certainly result in an infection leading to blindness.

[@noharetaj9189]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5vLnXitqbKdd8U&lc=UgwzdsoTF0G-qI5zSc94AaABAg

[@xthugniifcent_9695]

respect for that mouse

[@Mrzeng1]

Put some respeck on that mouse

[@Telleryn]

Most metal mouse ever

[@sprut3311]

what an optical little mouse

[@mancheaseskrelpher8419]

That scorpion fought like a boss against something over order of magnitude larger than it. It deserves a post-humous medal.

[@ScienceDiscoverer]

Respect for that scoprion! He died a hero!

[@brixmonton3577]

Behind that mouse is not flesh but an idea, and ideas are sting-proof

[@carlosvillaescusa1967]

Brix Monton *Behind that fur*

[@immortal_jairo88]

Scorpion: WHY WOULDN'T YOU DIE!! Grasshopper mouse: nanomachine son.

[@bryantwhittaker3576]

A mutant mouse the wave of the future of mouse 🐁 kind 🤣😂🤣😂😂eeeeeeee! next will be touchless kills using laser vision no more biting or getting stung

[@JazzyVibes217]

*Your pretty good*

[@Salamando]

@@JazzyVibes217 for a rookie

[@renc7305]

A rodent to surpass Metal Gear

[@verfernando8101]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@TheKsalad]

Oh man that little scream the mouse did as it was introduced. Amazing

[@Allson_ng]

TheKsalad Pokémon

[@Peaceful3arth]

It was precious...

[@EirikHasALife]

Battle cry

[@DustinRodriguez1_0]

I'm guessing a lot of people couldn't even hear it. I was surprised how high of a frequency that was.

[@jackpreston9236]

what frequency was that?

[@19̛́99̸-l5b]

"do not be fooled by it's cuteness" i know right, did you hear that roar? ferocious

[@thebananamelon5065]

That's simply the life of a badass. "I'm home with dinner! I got stabbed and poisoned in the face multiple times while trying to get it, after I turned off my ability to feel pain, it wasn't a problem"

[@BunnyF1uff]

The quality of these videos is out of this world! You guys are going to be big keep it up 😄

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+BunnyF1uff | Boots n' cats! Awesome compliment! Thanks very much for watching!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Mona Martin Thanks for your comments!

[@mr.blueshyguy3408]

Codfish I am surprised to see you here, you are an amazing beatboxer also😃

[@Ssssssnakeisone]

A wild codfish, amazing gills on that one

[@Jack-nw1xr]

A wild codfish has appear now lets sail with him

[@EnigmacTheFirst]

That scorpion got rekt

[@omedonnie]

lel rekt em

[@BelartWright]

The mouse is clearly a broken tank. Too bad for those scorpion nerfs.

[@feroz3854]

360 care package roll upside down throw tomahawk then 720 no scope to be more specific. #REKT

[@ScienceDiscoverer]

rip gg wp

[@zacharydeleon6912]

But I feel that the mouse be like," Ah, Oof, plz just staph, it hurts soooooo bad, hehe".

[@ecwinste]

He's like, "Ah, shit! That hurts! Argggh gonna get you! Ah, shit, ouch, omg dammit, OOOOOWWW oooh, omnomnomnom"

[@sydefx5080]

Cringe....

[@demosthenes995]

​@@sydefx5080 said the 0 likes reply

[@enchiladas1875]

At 2:29 Mouse: Stop!..[sting] [sting] I'm...[sting] [sting] [sting] trying...[sting] [sting] to...[sting] [sting] eat...[sting] [sting] [sting] YOU! [kills it] Crunchy sounds...

[@shysensei2348]

I laughed so hard at this..

[@masongarrett3066]

You are too funny!

[@mihirwadyekar2000]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@siyuul]

Asmr crunch sounds

[@DrMDHyde]

Awwwww that mouse it's so cute but badass I want one.

[@vshatriya5254]

i like pain defying mouth they are brave and willing to give me a finger

[@scrappyknees]

Me to mouse: teach me your ways sensei

[@murphdawgswizzle]

i have a “fancy” mouse and he is just like that. he hits you if you get close to him, but if you hold him he will curl up and sleep

[@vibolbot2084]

My pet just died yesterday hes a mynah bird i loved him he called me a big brother, A Brother! even though he is the big brother😢

[@MartinBartin2.0]

Hyde Zach me too

[@JEAthePrince]

1:40 when it roared, my ears started to bleed. This is a savage

[@fireaza]

Not exactly the most elegant or skillful way to successfully take down a scorpion, but whatever works!

[@mancheaseskrelpher8419]

That scorpion deserves a post-humous medal. It fought like a boss.

[@skyelouisekowe]

Scorpion used poison sting And wasn't very effective

[@antonioreyes421]

Bradley Kowe mouse used bite. its super effective!

[@skyelouisekowe]

+Antonio Reyes 😂😂😂😂

[@Rizal12061986]

baby honey badger, practice on scorpion

[@LumosVeil]

The Southern Grasshopper mouse is a ground type.

[@LadyBakura92]

The mouse was a steel type

[@albehuen1661]

"Do not be fooled by It's cuteness." *screams in high E*

[@Sliverbane]

As some who has been stung by scorpions several times... This is vindicating. And white hot electricity is a very accurate description of the pain.

[@daytrolarichardson1018]

wow that mouse was badass

[@hachikage_]

1:41 THIS MEANS WAR!!! *high pitched squeak war cry*

[@gjune36]

That mouse is way too cute.

[@okami_sanart5803]

1:39 Me: Aawwww that's adorable (hears its little scream) Also me: (Poke Ball ready) You just became my first pokemon

[@abyssproduction427]

scorpion: stabs mouse mouse: owie also mouse: *D O I T A G A I N*

[@Barzins1]

Just imagine having to endure pain every time you want to have a meal. I'd be nice and trim right now.

[@Barzins1]

***** do it. You'll make billions.

[@chriswelcome8102]

This dude ain't got shit on the Honey Badger!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

I dunno, that mouse is pretty fearless.

[@chriswelcome8102]

Deep Look Check out some honey badger videos/documentaries on here. They won't back down to anything. Lions, snakes, scorpions, bees. They truly don't give a fuck, have extremely thick skin and have ridiculous tolerance to venom.

[@victorsvidss]

huney badger dont give a shit

[@taschke1221]

In Afghanistan, I was throwing away some trash at night. I looked down and saw a dust bunny blowing wildly in the wind. When it slowed down I realized it was a small, translucent, highly venomous scorpion (the little clear ones are bad, the big black ones are okay). I instinctively jumped four feet in the air, though I would of been safer to remain standing on his tail. He scuttled with unfathomable speed, behind a nearby fire extinguisher(Something like 1.5 meters in under one second). Another Soldier caught him in a bottle and I think we ultimately poured hand sanitizer (alcohol) in and on and burned the bottle after taking pictures.

[@courfil]

As usual, still a big pleasure to discover your new videos! Well narrated, well structured, fascinating images, nice atmosphere music... Perfect for a 3 mins immersion in life details where all the small things looks bigger and also, accessible for everyone to understand. Even if you're a scientific, it's still a big pleasure to watch and it makes some concepts sometimes hard to understand for a "non scientific" easily understandable, so you reach at 200% your goal of popularization, simplification ! A Belgian fan :-)

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Philippe Callot Wow, thanks so very much for the awesome kudos!

[@damneddandelion7631]

“Do not be fooled by its cuteness” The mouse: _EEEEEEEE_

[@GunpowderCoffee]

1:40 *adorable high-pitch-roar

[@auerstadt06]

Scorpion: "Oh great, I forgot to pay the venom bill"

[@frogchaser]

lol I love the stabby and crunchy sounds

[@cousinthrockmorton900]

This ain't a scene it's a god damn arms race

[@LeTooch543]

Scorpion lvl.17 Mouse lvl.189 *stings* DAMAGE:0.1 Scorpion:NOO *bites* DAMAGE:20879 Mouse wins

[@ichieatworld9823]

Scorpion: *deadly stinger* Mouse: *deadly high pitch battle cry*

[@kaylenvee8150]

1:39 "Do not be fooled by its cuteness." Mouse: *SCREAMS*

[@underwhelmingcuriosity501]

Ahhhhhhh it squeaked!!!!!!!!

[@anirudhashahide1408]

Once I was bitten by a scorpion between my leg fingers while wearing shoes. Just IMAGIN

[@anibalmatheusg2089]

@@anirudhashahide1408 that is quite unlucky

[@anirudhashahide1408]

@@anibalmatheusg2089 that is fuckimg painful

[@GrassToucher24c]

This is the first where I see a mouse actually won a feeding session

[@ShermeenAhmad]

1:49 Scorpion: Let me outta here!!!😰😰😨😨

[@keniawoniyi8486]

I have never sympathized with a scorpion before (because I loathe them deeply). But this one looked so scared with the way it was trying to escape.

[@SilentPony]

Jeez, the scorpion stung it in the eye like a dozen times!

[@phillipayoung10]

Scorpion: Feel my sting rodent!! Mouse: I AM INEVITABLE!! Crunch crunch crunch!!

[@smartymcfly3957]

I can watch every one of your videos on a loop and never be bored. Great videos. Subscribed!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Awesome! Thanks for subscribing!

[@toniodivichi5749]

1:38 "Do not be fooled by it's cuteness" Mouse: *Mouse Battle Cry* Me: "...........Okay I wont"

[@strikezero01]

Scorpion: "GET OVER HERE!!!" Mouse: "NO U!"

[@ManMad17]

Scorpion : My venomous sting can KILL you, you know that right!?!?!? Mouse : hehehe scorpion goes crunch crunch

[@nathanielbailey9274]

Still one of my favorite channels out there! filming real science with awesome closeups and narration.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Nathaniel Bailey Thanks so much for the awesome compliment!

[@callmightuveveve8600]

0:24 seems that mouse is ready to fight that face lol

[@beastmod994]

am I the only one that heard the mouse squeak

[@allahakbar5230]

No

[@natahtakaizumi1987]

i love how it just went "y'know what i'm done...!" and just bites the tail to disable it

[@stevan6504]

I WANT TO KEEP THAT CUTE MOUSE!

[@ThuNguyen-jy2jt]

Michigan State University was the center of a mass shooting in 2023. My heart goes out to everyone affected ❤

[@paulaclarke3421]

Mind blown. Deep joy x

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Gratitude overflowing.

[@BoricuaBAST]

Deep Look

[@seleuf]

"Do not be fooled by its cuteness."

[@xEEEa7iu231]

2:50 Mouse: *grabs the scorpion by its sting* Mouse: Go big or go home

[@fraydizs7302]

*Buys 20 grass hopper mice and lets them lose in house* Scorpions are like my biggest fear...

[@PurpSquid]

Fraydizs you don't need to buy 20. Get 4 and in a month you'll have 200

[@bretarmstrong6303]

Scorpions aren't that dangerous first off. Second, you're gonna have a lot of mice, and then you'll buy snakes, that's why Guam is so infested with snakes.

[@explosivemodesonicmauricet1597]

Just try to control them so your biological control will not backfire because of exploding population.

[@unclekanethetiberiummain1994]

Have fun providing 113,312 squaremeters for each pair of mice or can watch them mauling each other to death.

[@Misto_deVito6009]

@@PurpSquid true

[@andredelacerdasantos4439]

It's so cute how you still respond to most of the comments! that can't last long

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+André de Lacerda Santos Why not? We love our viewers :)

[@Photosystem1]

+Deep Look Keep replying to comments! :DDDD

[@keedyo1185]

I question my sister about why she's scared of mice, now I know why

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Keedyo The fierce and ferocious grasshopper mouse.

[@marlboro_19]

scorpion @2:12... hiyah! hiyah! hiyah! hiyah! *doesn't work much* ahhhhhhh!!! let me outttttt!!!

[@samojakoikadnijelako]

2:26 report skarner for feeding twitch pls

[@00semi00]

I swear. I love these videos. I subscribed~

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Great! Thank you.

[@efgtest]

Sound test: Can you hear the mouse squeak at 1:40 ? if not then you should visit a Dr.

[@kawaiimuffin1111]

OWWWWWWWWW

[@thedarkdragonite]

It's like an underfed assassin trying to kill a fed tank.

[@JasonGuitarHand]

Poor Scorpion... he made his way back to the Netherrealm inside that mouses stomach. :(

[@mjallen1308]

"Do not be fooled by its cuteness..." right as it lets our the most cutest scream. Too late, I've already been fooled by its cuteness and there's just no going back at this point.

[@RealHealthyMinute]

Oh God I'm sweating just for watching this video!

[@bryancockel3216]

Great piece! One does not normally think of a mouse as a) carnivorous, and b) a ferocious predator.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Bryan Cockel A surprising twist!

[@AnonPax]

Thank you for the great video! Your channel is amazing.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks for watching!

[@urbanjimidar6131]

Everything has to eat...and then you see a bird scooping that mouse lol

[@Niemand_12345]

I have just discovered this channel and it's awesome! cheers from Mexico

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Alfredo García Thanks for watching! Welcome!

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodla2091]

1:36 Do not be fooled by its cuteness. Proceeds to do the cutest war cry I have ever seen in my life.

[@johannavarner]

Hooray! Another snuggly mammal episode that I can show in my class! Beautiful work, folks!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Johanna Varner Thanks so much Johanna!

[@joshcassidy7270]

+Johanna Varner Go team Mammalia!

[@tommyinnitshair3235]

I appreciate these mice. Making death by scorpion less common

[@ดลระญากองกัญญา]

A tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion will make it instantly go mad and sting itself to death.

[@Graphomite]

That's a BS myth.

[@mooseolly7744]

3:20 For a while I thought the pet scorpion has a name Amy.

[@green2882]

You guys make great content I hope you start getting tons of views and subs soon so you make good money and can do more!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+Tuck Tummy Awesome compliment! We hope we can reach more people too!

[@grammarnazi7428]

When an immovable object meets an unstoppable force.

[@krisnight2302]

Did anybody else hear that high pitched noise the mouse made at 1:41

[@TheGemini1985]

These mice howl.

[@krisnight2302]

well it's howling is hurting my ears so...

[@Bananenbauer123]

really? hurting?

[@krisnight2302]

Bananenbauer123 headache :P

[@ShadeMeadows]

That Mouse has the best War Scream!

[@saltysquid7284]

"LET ME SEE YOUR WAR FACE!" 1:39

[@danielr.]

Anyone else can hear the high frequency, almost ultrasonic scream of the mouse at 1:39? Why does it scream in this frequency @deeplook ?

[@Blo0oner]

Nerf that mouse...

[@hellothere-sm7ug]

1:40 do not be fooled by its cuteness Mouse:demonic screeching*

[@lazerwolfdiecast]

that mouse got stung around 68 times!! wtf!!!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+SCURGE He's a mighty mouse.

[@lazerwolfdiecast]

Deep Look for reals!

[@NardoBardo]

"That's where the mouse comes in, do not be fooled by its cuteness..." Mouse: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

[@TheKSChannel]

Dangermouse

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+The K&S Channel Mighty Mouse!

[@TheKSChannel]

Deep Look Definitely! Dangermouse is a cartoon on the BBC in the UK. Not sure how well he'd do against the scorpion though!

[@TheKSChannel]

Deep Look Awesome channel by the way!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+The K&S Channel Thanks so much!

[@Mike-01234]

Mouse is like "Ahh Lunch has arrived"

[@MultiJello123]

love these videos

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+MultiJello123 Thanks very much for watching! We love bringing them to you.

[@temporaltoast9692]

“28 STAB WOUNDS”

[@whatshisF4C3]

In before the "mice lives matter" comments...

[@emperorscorpionorespawnmod8897]

I will kek ur fatty fluffy mice

[@sleepingrepurr6317]

'do not be fooled by its cuteness' mouse : screams

[@inthebackwiththerabbish]

Mouse after being stung a couple times: ALRIGHT NOW IT'S GETTING REAL

[@thisisnoone6749]

I am new to this channel and it is great☺

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Welcome! We hope you enjoy all our videos!

[@ramilgonzales6447]

i watch this after my exams. it relieves my stress

[@notildes4753]

Narrator: do not be fooled by its cuteness. Mouse: *_S C R E E E--_*

[@pikachu_dead1254]

I knew ratata was the best starter

[@rocketxxv3096]

😂👍