Scorpion Types in the Southern US

Scorpions, part of the class Arachnida, are invertebrates related to spiders and mites with a two-segmented body, eight legs, and an erectile stinging tail. Over 1,520 scorpion species are known, and 79 of those species are found on all continents. Within the United States there are over 90 different species of scorpions, with the majority living west of the Mississippi river. The southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas have the highest concentrations of scorpions in the United States.

  1. Understanding Scorpian Categorization

    • Scorpions are typically identified by family and species. There are 19 different scorpion families, and nine subfamilies which each species can belong to. For example, the Buthidae family of scorpions, which live in tropical and subtropical climates and is the largest scorpion family, consists of 747 different species.

    Arizona's Scorpion Species

    • Approximately 45 of the 90 different scorpion species found in the United States are located in Arizona. Most species are from the Caraboctonidae and vaejovidae families. Not all of these species of scorpions live in desert terrain, although scorpions are often associated with desert climates. The Vaejovis lapidicola, for instance, can be found in northern Arizona where they live in the snow. Another common Arizona scorpion is the potentially deadly Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) which can be as long as 3 inches with slender brown tails. Their sting can be lethal for children and elderly people.

    New Mexico's Scorpion Species

    • About 17 scorpion species are found in New Mexico, including many of the scorpion species found in Arizona. One of the more common scorpions found in New Mexico, which can also be found in other southwestern states, is the sand scorpion (Paruroctonus utahensis). Sand scorpions are yellowish brown in color and feature bristly combs on their legs. They differ from other scorpion species because they use a unique vibration system to locate prey and mates.

    Texas' Scorpion Species

    • There are around 20 species of scorpions commonly found in Texas. These species come from the Buthidae, Scorpionidae, and Vaejovidae families. The Centruroides vittatus, for example, is a kind of bark scorpion found in both Texas and Colorado. They feature thin, long pincers and a tail that lies on its side when the scorpion is at rest. The Texas cave scorpion (Pseudouroctonus reddelli ) is a black troglophilic scorpion -- a scorpion that can be found in and around caves.