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Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)

Centruroides sculpturatus

The Centruroides sculpturatus, the infamous 'Arizona Bark Scorpion'. It is considered the MOST VENOMOUS scorpion in North America (its neurotoxic venom can be fatal for children, the elderly and at-risk subjects). It is a small arboreal scorpion (2-2.7 inches) of pale yellow or amber color, almost transparent, which allows it to camouflage perfectly with sand and light wood. Unlike most desert scorpions (Hadrurus) that live in burrows in the ground, the Arizona Bark is an exceptional climber and loves to take refuge in cracks, roofs and human houses. Fast, social (winters in huge groups) and equipped with a highly sensitive sting, its keeping is exclusively the prerogative of professionals, using armored cases.

Taxonomy

Class:Arachnida

Order:Scorpiones

Family:Buthidae

Genus:Centruroides

Species:Centruroides sculpturatus

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

30 - 50 %

Day temperature

27 - 32 °C

Night temperature

20 - 24 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum reports Centruroides sculpturatus in southeastern California, Nevada, southern Utah and southwestern New Mexico in the United States, and in western Sonora, Mexico. It describes the species as a bark or crevice scorpion that may be found on trees and rock faces, as well as in rock and lumber piles and under rocks, logs, fallen saguaros and other surface objects.

Taxonomy and Genetics: The museum identifies Centruroides sculpturatus as a bark scorpion in the family Buthidae. The cited source does not provide a genetic result for this entry.

Behaviour and Habits: The museum reports that this species climbs and may be found on trees and rock faces; it also reports winter aggregations of 20–30 individuals. The same source identifies it as the only medically important scorpion in the United States.

Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The museum describes the bark scorpion as straw-coloured, with very thin chelae and tail and a tubercle on the telson under the sting. The cited source does not provide sexual-dimorphism measurements.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: The U.S. National Park Service describes Centruroides sculpturatus as desert-adapted and reports a preference for riparian habitats in the Grand Canyon. This natural-history account does not establish captive enclosure dimensions, substrate depth, or a husbandry protocol.

Lighting and Heating: The source reports nocturnal activity but does not provide captive lighting or temperature parameters; none are inferred here.

Humidity and Hydration: The source describes a preference for riparian habitat within one protected-area context, but does not establish captive humidity or hydration parameters; none are inferred here.

Feeding and Supplementation: The source reports use of pincers to grab small insects. It does not provide a captive feeding schedule or supplementation protocol.

Compatibility and Coexistence: The cited account does not test cohabitation or establish compatibility criteria; no recommendation is inferred.

Health and Common Diseases: The source states that the tail is highly venomous and advises observers not to handle the animal. It does not provide a veterinary or disease-management protocol.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Nord America (Deserti di Sonora e Chihuahua, Arizona, Nuovo Messico).

Origin

Central America and CaribbeanNorth America

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet: No verified data available
Life expectancy: No verified data available
Adult size: 8 cm
Lifestyle/Microhabitat: No verified data available
Activity cycle: No verified data available
Sociality: No verified data available
Reproduction: No verified data available
Venom level: No verified data available
Handling tolerance: No verified data available
Brumation: No verified data available
Molting: No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Recommended companions

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Similar care

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Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origin

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Image gallery

Related species

Variants and close relatives

Central American Bark Scorpion (Centruroides margaritatus)

Florida Bark Scorpion (Centruroides gracilis)

Deathstalker Scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus)

Common Yellow Scorpion (Buthus occitanus)

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Bearded Dragon (Citrus)

Bearded Dragon (Dunner)

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