What are the 4 most common Arizona scorpion species?

4/3/2018

1. Arizona Bark Scorpion

Appearance:

  • 1 to 3 inches long
  • Tan/yellow-orange color, center of the body is usually slightly darker
  • Has a slender tail, arms, and pincers.

Diet:

  • Crickets, roaches, beetles, other small insects
  • Water

Facts & Behavior:

  • “The bark scorpion (1-3 inches in length) is the most commonly encountered house scorpion.” -University of Arizona: Scorpions in Arizona
  • The most dangerous scorpion species in Arizona with formidable and potentially deadly venom
  • Excel at climbing rough surfaces. Can climb vertical walls.
  • Common in every Arizona habitat, but almost always prevalent in rocky areas.
  • Nocturnal
  • Can fit through a gap as thin as 1/16th of an inch.
  • Lifespan is generally around 6 years
  • Mother gives birth to around 20 to 35 young at a time, which will stay on her back for up to three weeks.
  • Although most scorpions are solitary, the Arizona Bark Scorpion is usually found in groups. If you find one, there are likely more nearby. It’s not uncommon for bark scorpions to form groups of 20-30 to wait out the winter seasons safely.
  • Painful sting, according to the University of Arizona: “The venom of the bark scorpion may produce severe pain (but rarely swelling) at the site of the sting, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficulties in breathing (including respiratory paralysis), muscle twitching, and convulsions. Death is rare, especially in more recent times. Antivenin is available for severe cases. Envenomation of children (under 9 years of age) or people with hypertension should be considered serious and immediate medical help should be sought (dial 911). Certain people may be allergic to the venom and can experience life-threatening side effects when stung (as occurs with bee stings).”

 

2. Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion

Appearance:

  • Brown-gray colored body, light yellow tail and limbs.
  • Large, up to 6 inches long
  • The tail and limbs will be covered in small hairs (Hence the name Giant Desert “Hairy” Scorpion)

Diet:

  • Crickets, roaches, other scorpion species and small invertebrates
  • Water

Facts & Behavior::

  • Very common and widely distributed in Arizona
  • Often found under rocks, sleeping bags, shoes, etc, on sandy soils, and in humid areas
  • Nocturnal
  • Mild sting
  • Has a unique reproductive cycle

 

3. Stripe-Tail Scorpion

Appearance:

  • Light yellow/golden brown color with markings along its tail
  • Typically around 2 to 3 inches long
  • Has distinctive brownish-tan stripes on the ridges on the back of its tail
  • Tail is thicker than bark scorpion’s tail

Diet:

  • Crickets, roaches, other scorpion species and small invertebrates
  • Water

Facts & Behavior::

  • Very common and widely distributed in Arizona
  • Often found under rocks, sleeping bags, shoes, etc, on sandy soils, and in humid areas
  • Nocturnal
  • Mild sting
  • Has a unique reproductive cycle

 

4. Yellow Ground Scorpion

Appearance:

  • 2 to 3 inches in length
  • Yellowish color
  • Slender and similar in appearance to bark scorpions

Diet:

  • Crickets, roaches, and other small insects.
  • Water

Facts & Behavior:

  • Burrows or hides under rocks
  • Nocturnal
  • Not considered to pose a danger to humans