Scorpions

 

General Scorpion Information

Scorpions are arachnids, close relatives of ticks, mites and spiders.

There are approximately 1,300 species of scorpions worldwide, characterized by an elongated body and a segmented tail that is tipped with a venomous stinger.

Scorpions are very common in the Southern an Southwestern States.

Most are not poisonous ,except for two species found in the southwestern states like Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.

Scorpions are commonly thought of as desert animals, but in fact, they occur in many other habitats as well, including grasslands and savannahs, deciduous forests, pine forests, rain forest and caves.

Scorpion Appearance

Scorpions have long, slender body iwth a 5-segmented tail that be arched over the back.

Varies between species, but most measure about 2 inches fully grown.

Color:
Can vary widely between yellow, blue, reddish brown, and black.

Most of the scorpions that enter dwellings are not poisonous, their stings like those of bees or wasps.

Striped Back Scorpions

A typical non poisonous scorpion is the common striped Centruroides vittatus, Striped back scorpion.

This species is widely distributed in the southern United States. It has 2 broad, dark bands extending the length of the back, on an otherwise yellowish-brown body.

Click on image to enlarge
Photo: Courtesy of Jim Kalish,UNL Entomology.

Bark Scorpions

However, certain species in the desert Southwest can be poisonous.

The US species, Centruroides exilicauda , (Bark Scorpion-pale yellow in color)is found over much of the Southwest.
Also known as the bark scorpion, they are pale and small, making them extremely difficult to see.

Centruroides exilicauda

Click on image to enlarge

Photo: Courtesy of Jim Kalish,UNL Entomology.

Centruroides exilicauda
Click on image to enlarge

The venom of this scorpion may produce severe pain and swelling at the site of the sting, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficulties in breathing (including respiratory paralysis), muscle twitching, and convulsions.

The Bark Scorpion is very venomous, if stung, call your local Poison control center and go to the nearest hospital or personal physician for antivenin treatment.

Death is rare.

Scorpion Habits:

Scorpions are nocturnal, predatory animals that feed on a variety of insects, spiders, centipedes, and other scorpions.

The larger scorpions occasionally feed on vertebrates, such as smaller lizards, snakes, and mice. Prey are located primarily by sensing vibrations.

Although scorpions are equipped with venom to defend themselves, scorpions fall prey to many types of creatures, such as centipedes, tarantulas, insectivorous lizards, birds (especially owls), and mammals (including shrews, grasshopper mice, bats).

Scorpions feed mainly on insects and spiders and can survive without feeding for six months.

During the day scorpions hide under stones, in piles of rocks, in cracks in masonry, in wood piles and under the bark of trees.

Scorpions enter structures seeking water and shelter.

Inspection for the scorpions is made easy with the UV Tracker Light
This tracking tool has 14 Ultra Violet LEDs for a powerful flashlight that will illuminate scorpions as well as fluoresce rodent and cat urine, making detection easier