Scorpionch

Discovery LocationArid Caves of the Sonoran Desert

Lead ResearcherDr. L. Chen

Field Report Summary

Physical Description

A medium-sized fish, roughly 1-2 feet long, with a mottled brown and tan coloration providing excellent camouflage on the seafloor. Its most distinctive feature is a long, segmented tail ending in a venomous stinger, similar to a scorpion. It also possesses numerous venomous spines along its dorsal fin and pectoral fins. The body is robust and slightly flattened, with large, forward-facing eyes. The fins are broad and fan-like, allowing it to subtly maneuver in the sand.

Habitat

Tropical Coral Reef

Dietary Behavior

An ambush predator, consuming insects, small reptiles, and occasionally small mammals.

Evolutionary Origin

Arisen due to a chromosomal fusion event between a desert scorpion and a black bear ancestor inhabiting the same territory.

Behavioral Notes

Hibernate for extended periods within cave systems, emerging only during periods of high prey availability.