After a hot and tiring day on the water, and after a
cold brew I decided to clean up and take a shower. Our place at the coast only
has a 12x20 shed for storage, and that is where the shower is. The shed doubles
for storage and necessities like a fridge, porta-potty, shelves, mower storage,
fishing and boat stuff and anything else I can cram into it. The boat and
camper live in a 20x30 boat “pole” barn. Anyway, the light wasn’t working when
I went in, but so what? It was daylight and I could see pretty well. No snakes
in sight. Nothing moving. I pulled back the shower curtain, adjusted the hot
water whilst disrobing, and stepped in. Ahhhhhh. Warm water. Then adjust to
cool. Wash. OUCH!! Something stung my foot. I looked down and there, perched on
the top of my foot was a small, 1.5 – 2 inch scorpion. In the shower water.
Just sitting there. And the little bastard critter had hit me twice.
Naturally I flipped it off, I mean gave it the finger then convinced it to get
off my foot all the while saying loudly “tish and piffle” (you believe that?).
I shut off the water and said “what the hell are you doing in the shower, and
why did you sting my foot, which you were sitting on”? The scorpion said
something like “Well, I was hiding in the curtain and suddenly it moved and got
wet. I was trying to get to someplace dry. I only tapped your foot to let you
know I was there. Not a real sting you know. Come here if you want to see the
difference.” (Both pincers waving me over)
Well, I guess that put me in my place. So I got a
piece of cardboard, got the little bitch critter to crawl on it and put
it outside. The stings were barely noticeable in a few minutes and I couldn’t
even get much sympathy from Sally. Still, it was a nice chance meeting and it
ended well. For the rest of the weekend we both, Sally and I, shook the shower
curtain thoroughly before entering. My scorpion friend is probably now happily
eating termites or ants or something. Telling the tale of “The Giant in the Storm” to all who will
listen. I wonder if it blogs?
Image: http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/c_hentzi2.jpg
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2 comments:
I don't know much about Florida scorpions, but I guess they are not venomous to cause harm to an adult body?!?
bee sting level. This one didn't really sting so much as tap with the stinger with a tiny amount of toxin on the tip. Like a snake giving a "dry bite", fangs go in but no venom is injected. This type of behavior is sometimes interpreted as a warning. Scorpions don't usually sting what they walk on, so a double tap like that was somewhat unusual in my experience. The critter got a good drink before being sent back outside.
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