Land lobsters from hell are emerging in Big Bend after summer rains

[Judi Lynn]

Abigail Rosenthal
July 16, 2021
Updated: July 16, 2021 1:16 p.m.

Rain doesn't just bring floods and flowers. It apparently also awakens creatures that appear to come from the depths of hell.

Big Bend National Park in Texas shared a photo this week of a visitor near a campsite: A vinegaroon, a sort of ungodly land lobster that can shoot acid from its tail.

Vinegaroons are also known as "whip scorpions" and hunt other insects for food. They can also shoot a "well-aimed" spray of 85% acetic acid (or, vinegar, hence the name) from their tails as a defense mechanism. And if they weren't already terrifying enough, they also have large pincers.

The park said in its post that the summer rains lure vinegaroons from their burrows.

Luckily, you probably won't see any around Houston. Vinegaroons are most commonly found in west Texas but have been spotted in the Panhandle and in south Texas, according to Texas A&M's Field Guide to Common Texas Insects.

More:
https://www.chron.com/life/wildlife/article/Houston-Texas-Big-Bend-vinegaroons-parks-16319694.php

[Kali]

1. they are cool

sun spiders too. take both any day over scorpions.

[XanaDUer2]

2. Won't eat lobsters

I hate scorpions

[Docreed2003]

3. Lobsterosities???

(For the King fans in the house)

[MuseRider]

4. Did a chuck?

Dod a chick?

[Docreed2003]

5. Ded a chum?

Many thanks for the laugh Sai...long days and pleasant nights.