Shelter of the Scorpions (IMAGE)

University of Utah

Shelter of the Scorpions

Caption

This panoramic view shows the Shelter of the Scorpions, a rock shelter on the Pacific Coast of Baja California, Mexico, 95 miles south of Tijuana, Mexico. During the past 10,000 years, birds of prey and raptors sat atop the cliff eating rabbits and other small animals, and then dropping the bones, which accumulated at the base of the cliff. A new University of Utah study analyzed 3,463 of those ancient rabbit and hare bones to show how heavy rains spurred by the El Niño climate phenomenon caused periodic booms in Baja's bunny population.

Credit

Isaac Hart, University of Utah

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.