I grew up a desert rat, born in Tombstone, AZ, and lived in an adobe house. I remember turning the bed covers all the way back before we got in bed, and turning our shoes upside down and banging them on the bed frame, all to make sure there were no scorpions or snakes where we were going to put our tootsies. We knew to make noise while listening for snakes when we walked through the brush, and to stay out of the cactus. When the grands visited us from the city a few years back DDIL wouldn't let them play outside for fear the would get bit, stung, or stuck by a thorn! We knew how to survive, but I'm not sure they do. But their world is different, so I should hope they learn to survive in it.