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Dune Scorpion (Smeringurus mesaensis)

Smeringurus mesaensis

The Smeringurus mesaensis, known as the 'Dune Scorpion'. Once classified as Paruroctonus, it is a small-medium sized North American scorpion (2-2.7 inches). Perfectly adapted to life in the sandy dunes of the Sonoran Desert, it is distinguished by its pale color and the incredible disproportion of the hands (swollen and bulbous claws contrasting with filiform fingers). It is an exclusively nocturnal, fast and venomous hunter (but not lethal, wasp-like pain). Unlike the Hadrurus (which digs in hard clay), the Smeringurus is a patroller of quicksands, holing up by day at modest depths. Requires desert terrariums with very dry sand and torrid heat.

Taxonomy

Class:Arachnida

Order:Scorpiones

Family:Vaejovidae

Subfamily:Smeringurinae

Genus:Smeringurus

Species:Smeringurus mesaensis

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

30 - 40 %

Day temperature

28 - 35 °C

Night temperature

20 - 24 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: This recovery makes no geographic-origin or habitat statement beyond the cited facts above.

Taxonomy and Genetics: GBIF/Catalogue of Life displays the name Smeringurus mesaensis (Stahnke, 1957) and lists Paruroctonus mesaensis Stahnke, 1957 as original name usage. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond the cited facts above.

Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited facts above.

Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: GBIF/Catalogue of Life lists “Dune Scorpion” as an English vernacular name. This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited facts above.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: This recovery provides no enclosure or substrate prescription.

Lighting and Heating: This recovery sets no photoperiod or temperature target.

Humidity and Hydration: A peer-reviewed desiccation study measured sex-specific physiological responses in Smeringurus mesaensis. It found no significant sex effect on mass-loss rates, while female and male haemolymph-osmolality responses differed at the reported experimental mass-loss levels. These are stress-study observations, not a humidity, hydration, or dehydration protocol.

Feeding and Supplementation: This recovery sets no feeding or supplementation protocol.

Compatibility and Coexistence: This recovery makes no cohabitation recommendation.

Health and Common Diseases: This recovery provides no health, disease, toxicology, or treatment protocol.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Nord America (Deserti sabbiosi e dune di Sonora, Arizona e California).

Origin

North 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.

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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

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