Subject: Found this scorpion in my home.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
June 4, 2017 5:10 am
I found this scorpion on the wall inside my home. I got it into a jar and took a picture. I’m wondering if I should be worried that my property is home to a “scorpion hive” as well as if this is a scorpion viable for being a pet.
Signature: Chris
Dear Chris,
We believe based on images posted to BugGuide that this is an Arizona Bark Scorpion, Centruroides sculpturatus, and the range is listed as: “All counties of Arizona, into western New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Nevada to Las Vegas vicinity, and in California only along Colorado River where it is not common. Also in much of Sonora, Mexico.” LLLReptile states: “Bark scorpions are a unique and fascinating group of scorpions indigenous to the Americas that are ideally suited to captive care in the vivarium. In America, the term Bark scorpion commonly denotes members of the genus Centruroides, a genus of Buthidae with between 70 and 80 species (different authorities disagree on certain species status). …
The species of this genus are non-burrowing and hide among leaf litter, under stones or wood, among dead or living vegetation, or in the folds of plants or tree bark. Many species find their way into human habitations in their native areas. They are light bodied and agile,0 and able to climb vertical surfaces or cling upside down to rough surfaces as they walk. A number of Centruroides species have very potent venom. Due to their defensive nature and frequent encounters with humans some Centruroides species are responsible for numerous deaths or dangerous envenomations in their native countries. C. exilicauda, C. sculpturatus, C. limpidus, C. noxius, and C. suffusus all possess venom documented as having caused humans deaths, other species within the genus may possess medically significant venom. Many species within the genus possess venom capable of inflicting strong pain, but are not considered to have particularly toxic venom. Any species of Centruroides must be kept in an escape proof cage. A tight fitting lid is a must for any enclosure, as small gaps between lids and enclosures can provide perfect opportunities for escape. Some keepers apply a band of petrolium jelly around the upper lip of the cage to help prevent young or small specimens from escaping.” We would urge you to exercise caution if you plan to keep this Arizona Bark Scorpion as a pet. We will be post-dating your submission to go live to our site later in the month while our editorial staff is away on holiday.