Pest Library

Characteristics

The Arizona Bark Scorpion is a tiny scorpion that has a size of 2 to 3 inches in length varying on its location. They can blend well in different desert environment because of their very light color. Just like any other scorpions, the Arizona bark scorpion has eight legs, a pair of long, thin pincers to hold its prey, and a stinger at the base.

Habitat

This scorpion is widely distributed all over the Southeast United States that include, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Southern Utah, and some parts of Texas. They live in hot desert lands and can survive even when they lose water. During the day, this scorpion will hide from the sun’s heat, and can be found hiding under rocks, logs, tree barks, and woodpiles. Since they do not burrow, they can make homes in areas where they think is acceptable. They prefer trees, such as cottonwood, mesquite, and sycamore groves. They can even gain entry in homes that have enough moisture and humidity to survive.

Behavior

Scorpions mostly live a solitary life, but not the bark scorpion. During the cold winter days, this scorpion can be found together with her kind. A habitat can contain around 20 to 30 scorpions during winter.
They are also resilient, and are even known to survive nuclear testing. They do not create their own homes, but they can climb well. They are not real desert scorpions because they prefer places where their prey can benefit from moisture and humidity.

Food

The Arizona bark scorpion prefers to ambush their prey, then consume them. Part of their diet are invertebrates, such as crickets, beetles, cockroaches, and other small insects. They can also eat snakes, spiders, rodents, lizards, and peccaries.

Life Cycle

Scorpions are cautious creatures. After enough dancing and courtship, the male and the female will separate. The female will give birth one by one to around 25 to 35 young, and she will help in the nourishment and protection of her young by allowing the babies to climb on her back. The female scorpion will avoid giving birth in dry areas because her babies may dry out and die. Once the young scorpions are able to do it on their own, they will leave their mother and hunt by themselves. The Arizona bark scorpion can live for about five to nine years, depending on their given environment.

Other Information and Tips

The Arizona bark scorpion is considered as one of the most venomous scorpions found in the United States. Those who have been bitten by this scorpion are expected to feel severe pain accompanied by vomiting, irregular breathing, and numbness. The area where the victim was stung can experience immobilization or convulsions.

To help a victim of a scorpion bite, make sure to give the victim the necessary first aid such as:
• Cleaning the infected site with soap and water
• Place a cool compress around the infected site
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen should be taken
• Seek medical attention for individuals who are experiencing extreme pain

Photo by Hdduane (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons / resized from original