The Diverse World of Scorpions: 27 Types and How to Identify Them

Scorpions hold an iconic place in pop culture as one of the most feared creepy crawlies around. And while their menacing pincers and infamous stings may make them seem like tiny monsters, scorpions are fascinating creatures that come in a huge diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors.

There are over 2,500 identified scorpion species, occupying every continent except Antarctica. The United States alone harbors around 90 species, most of which are harmless to humans. Read on to learn more about these arachnids and discover some of the most common scorpion species that call the US home.

What Exactly Are Scorpions?

Scorpions are predatory arachnids meaning they are related to spiders. All scorpions have eight legs a pair of pedipalps that look like mini claws, and a tail-like metasoma that arches over their backs and ends in a stinger. Their claws and venomous stingers allow scorpions to subdue prey and deter predators.

Scorpions are nocturnal and avoid the heat of the day by hiding out in burrows or under rocks and logs. They emerge at night to hunt insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Though most species prey on bugs, some of the larger scorpions will even eat small lizards, snakes, and mice.

While scorpions get a bad rap, less than 30 species worldwide have venom potent enough to kill a human. Plus, scorpions rarely sting unless provoked. That said, it’s still smart to steer clear of these armored arachnids and be wary when exploring areas where scorpions are known to live.

27 Types of Scorpions in the United States

The United States hosts around 90 species spanning 4 families. Here are some of the most common scorpions you may encounter in the US:

1. Striped Bark Scorpion

With dark stripes running the length of its body, the striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) is a common species found under debris across the southern US. It packs a mildly venomous sting that causes local pain, numbness, and swelling.

2. Western Forest Scorpion

As its name suggests, the western forest scorpion (Uroctonus mordax) inhabits the forests of the Pacific Coast. It blends into its habitat with dark brown or amber coloring. Its sting isn’t medically significant.

3. Stripe-tailed Scorpion

Small stripe-tailed scorpions (Paravaejovis spinigerus) inhabit the dry southwest. They have mild venom used to subdue tiny prey like grasshoppers and crickets.

4. Southern Devil Scorpion

Found in humid southeastern forests, the black southern devil scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus) has a harmless sting. It gives birth to up to 80 offspring at a time.

5. California Common Scorpion

A small light-colored scorpion of California and bordering states, Paruroctonus silvestrii isn’t dangerous but may seek refuge indoors. It paralyzes insect prey with its venom.

6. Desert Hairy Scorpion

The largest US species, the desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) can reach 5.5 inches long. Despite its size, this bluish-gray denizen of the Sonoran Desert has a weak sting.

7. Arizona Bark Scorpion

packing powerful neurotoxic venom, the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is North America’s most venomous species. It can cause severe stinging pain, numbness, vomiting, and respiratory distress.

8. Dune Scorpion

A small sand-colored scorpion of North American deserts, the dune scorpion (Smeringurus mesaensis) hides by day and hunts insects by night. Its sting isn’t dangerous.

9. Yellow Devil Scorpion

Peach to yellow in color, the aptly named yellow devil scorpion (Paravaejovis confusus) roams the Sonoran Desert at night eating worms, crickets, and other scorpions.

10. California Swollenstinger Scorpion

Identified by its swollen dark red tail and black claws, Anuroctonus pococki is a non-threatening scorpion found under debris across southern California.

11. Northern Scorpion

The northernmost scorpion in North America, Paruroctonus boreus inhabits the northern US and Canada. It has a brown to black appearance and isn’t medically significant.

12. Sawfinger Scorpion

A shiny black scorpion of coastal California, the sawfinger scorpion (Serradigitus gertschi) fluoresces under UV light, making it popular with night hikers. Its sting causes only localized pain.

13. Hentz Striped Scorpion

Tan to brown with darker stripes, Centruroides hentzi inhabits a swath of the southern US. It lives in larger family groups than most scorpion species.

14. Beck’s Desert Scorpion

Endemic to California’s Mojave Desert, the yellowish Beck’s desert scorpion (Paruroctonus becki) is a burrowing scorpion active at night.

15. Dune Devil Scorpion

A tiny scorpion reaching just 1.75 inches long, the reddish dune devil scorpion (Paravaejovis waeringi) skitters across the sands of California’s deserts and scrublands at night.

16. Texas Cave Scorpion

As its name suggests, the Texas cave scorpion (Pseudouroctonus reddelli) lives in caves where it hunts cave crickets. At 2 inches long, it’s the largest Texas cave scorpion.

17. Trans-Pecos Smoothclaw Scorpion

Reaching just under 2 inches long, the Trans-Pecos smoothclaw scorpion (Diplocentrus lindo) has a glossy brown body and inhabits the Chihuahuan Desert region.

18. Lesser Stripetail Scorpion

With a yellow and brown striped body under 2 inches long, the lesser stripetail scorpion (Chihuahuanus coahuilae) inhabits sandy deserts of the southern US and Mexico. Its sting is painful but not dangerous.

19. Black Hairy Scorpion

As its name suggests, the large black hairy scorpion (Hadrurus spadix) has a black back and can attain 5 inches in length. It’s an aggressive, cannibalistic species common in the southwest.

20. Slender Brown Scorpion

Widespread across the southern US into Central America, the slender brown scorpion (Centruroides gracilis) can cause nausea, numbness, and irregular heartbeat with its venomous sting.

21. Russell’s Scorpion

Russell’s scorpion (Chihuahuanus russelli) has an earthy tan color that blends into its desert home ranging from California to Texas and Mexico. It’s a burrowing scorpion that surfaces at night to hunt.

22. Anza-Borrego Hairy Scorpion

Reaching up to 5 inches long, the Anza-Borrego hairy scorpion (Hadrurus anzaborrego) inhabits the deserts of far southern California. Its black back helps distinguish it from similar species.

23. Lesser Brown Scorpion

Ranging through the southern US, Caribbean, and Hawaii, the lesser brown scorpion (Isometrus maculatus) is identified by its mottled brown or yellowish coloring and measures 1.5-3 inches in length.

24. Eastern Sand Scorpion

Found from California to New Mexico, the eastern sand scorpion (Paruroctonus utahensis) has a pale yellow hue that camouflages it atop desert sands. It eats insects, spiders, and other scorpions.

25. Thick-handled Scorpion

Inhabiting the Chihuahuan Desert, the thick-handled scorpion (Chihuahuanus crassimanus) has a yellow to amber body with brown stripes. It emerges at night but otherwise remains hidden by day.

26. Intermediate Scorpion

Ranging from California to Colorado, the aggressive intermediate scorpion (Vaejovis intermedius) quickly stings intruders. Its venom can be painful but isn’t lethal to humans.

27. Striped-tailed Scorpion

Widespread in North America, the small striped-tailed scorpion (Vaejovis spinigerus) has faint stripes on its back and harmless venom used only to paralyze tiny prey.

Identifying Scorpions

All scorpions share some key physical traits that help distinguish them. Their bodies are divided into two main segments:

Cephalothorax: The front body section containing the eyes, mouthparts, legs, and claws.

Metasoma: The posterior tail-like segment containing the stinger.

They also have a pair of pedipalps that look like miniature claws but are actually sensory appendages. The metasoma curves up and over the scorpion’s back, always held at the ready to strike prey or attackers.

Scorpions come in a rainbow of colors like black, brown, yellow, red, and green. Their coloration helps them blend into their habitats. Species found on sandy desert floors tend to be pale, while scorpions living amongst forest litter are darker.

When identifying scorpion species, details like color, stripe patterns, size, and geographical location can all provide clues. And of course, habitat and behavior give insights into the species in question. Becoming familiar with your regional scorpion species helps with identification.

Fascinating Facts About Scorpions

Beyond their fearsome appearance, scorpions have many fascinating traits that make them unique:

• Scorpions glow bright blue-green under UV light thanks to fluorescent chemicals in their exoskeletons. These glow-in-the-dark scorpions are a favorite among night hikers.

• To conserve water, scorpions excrete urine in the form of insoluble uric acid crystals rather than liquid urine like we do.

• Scorpions are surprisingly social for arachnids. Some species live in family groups sharing burrows and helping care for each other’s young.

• At least some scorpion species can slow their metabolisms, allowing them to survive a year or more without eating.

• Scorpions dance an elaborate mating dance called the “promenade à deux.” The male deposits a sperm packet for the female to take up.

• Female scorpions give live birth and carry dozens of babies on their backs until the young can survive on their own.

• Scorpion mothers will fiercely defend their broods against any threats.

Staying Safe Around Scorpions

Encountering a scorpion can be an alarming experience, but don’t panic. Here are some tips for safely coexisting with these captivating critters:

• Learn to identify your regional scorpion species, their habitats and habits. Being aware helps avoid surprise encounters.

• Inspect shoes, clothing, and camping gear before use if you’ll be in scorpion territory. Don’t leave clothes on the floor.

• Use black lights at night to spot fluorescing scorpions before heading outdoors in areas where they live.

• Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and gloves for hiking and gardening in likely scorpion habitats.

• Be careful lifting debris like woodpiles and rocks where scorpions may hide.

• If stung, clean the wound and apply a cold compress for pain relief. Seek medical treatment for severe stings or if allergic symptoms develop.

Scorpions are captivating creatures that play a vital ecological role as insect predators. Their diverse sizes, shapes, colors, and behaviors make them endlessly fascinating to discover and study. By taking sensible precautions, we can safely appreciate these iconic desert dwellers in their natural habitats.