Centruroides sculpturatus, or Arizona coral scorpion, is the most dangerous scorpion in North America. Its sting can cause severe pain, neurotoxic symptoms, and in rare cases, even death without medical attention.
This scorpion belongs to the family Buthidae, which includes the most venomous scorpions in the world. It is found mainly in the deserts of Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico.
📌 Why is this scorpion dangerous?
✔ The most venomous of all US scorpions
✔ Has a powerful neurotoxic venom
✔ Can crawl into homes, hiding in shoes and clothing
✔ Able to lift its tail up and attack with lightning speed
Let's take a closer look at the features of this dangerous scorpion!
Scientific classification
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Arthropods (Arthropoda)
✔ Class: Arachnids (Arachnida)
✔ Row: Scorpios (Scorpiones)
✔ Family: Buthidae
✔ Gender: Centruroides
✔ View: Centruroides sculpturatus
📌 First described in 1876 by American entomologist George Marx.
Appearance
🦂 What does Centruroides sculpturatus look like?
✔ Body length:
• Adults: 6-8 cm
✔ Colour:
• Yellow-brown or light sandy
✔ Body type:
• Slender body, thin legs
• Long tail with a pronounced “bridge” on the last segment
✔ Characteristic feature:
• Two dark stripes along the back
• Coloration allows camouflage among sand and rocks
📌 This scorpion is distinguished from other members of the genus Centruroides by its dark stripes on its back and the unique shape of its tail.
Distribution area and habitat
🌍 Where does the coral scorpion live?
✔ Main area:
• USA (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, California, Texas)
• Northern Mexico
✔ Typical habitats:
• Deserts (especially the Sonoran Desert)
• Rocky areas and sandy plains
• Forests with oaks and conifers
• In houses and sheds (crawls into cool places at night)
📌 This scorpion adapts well to urban environments, often appearing in people's homes, seeking shelter from the heat.
Lifestyle and behavior
🌙 Nocturnal predator
✔ Leads an active lifestyle at night
✔ During the day it hides under stones, tree bark, and in cracks.
✔ Hunts from an ambush, waiting for prey
✔ Able to climb vertical surfaces (walls, ceiling)
✔ Can crawl into shoes, clothes, or bedding
📌 This scorpion often crawls into homes during the hot season.
Poison and danger to humans
⚠ How dangerous is the bite of Centruroides sculpturatus?
✔ The venom contains neurotoxins that affect the nervous system.
✔ Bite Symptoms:
• Severe pain and burning
• Numbness of the extremities
• Increased salivation
• Muscle spasms and cramps
• Increased heart rate
📌 The poison is especially dangerous for children, the elderly, and people with heart disease.
What should I do if I get bitten?
1. Don't panic. – poison rarely leads to death
2. Immobilize the injured limb
3. See a doctor as soon as possible.
4. Get the antidote (available in the US and Mexico)
📌 The mortality rate from bites from this scorpion is very low due to the presence of an effective antivenom.
Food
🍽 What does Centruroides sculpturatus eat?
✔ Insects (crickets, cockroaches, beetles)
✔ Spiders and small scorpions
✔ Small lizards
📌 It hunts using sensitive bristles on its paws to detect the vibrations of its prey.
Reproduction
❤️ How does this scorpion reproduce?
✔ The mating season lasts in spring and summer.
✔ The female carries the offspring inside herself (viviparous scorpions!)
✔ Newborn scorpions remain on their mother's back for the first week.
✔ After 2 weeks they become independent.
📌 Females can give birth to 20–30 cubs at a time!
Interesting facts
💡 This scorpion glows in the dark under ultraviolet light!
💡 The only scorpion in the US that poses a serious threat to humans.
💡 Can live up to 7 years.
💡 Able to move on vertical surfaces and even hang from the ceiling!
How to avoid meeting this scorpion?
🛑 To protect yourself:
✔ Check your shoes before you put them on.
✔ Seal all cracks in the house
✔ Don't leave clothes and towels on the floor.
✔ Regularly treat your home for insects (the main food of scorpions)
📌 If you live in Arizona or Nevada, be especially careful in the summer!
Conclusion
🦂 Centruroides sculpturatus is a dangerous but unique representative of the scorpion world.
🚨 Its bite can cause serious symptoms, but modern medicine allows for effective treatment of poisoning.
🌵 It is an important part of the desert ecosystem, controlling insect populations.
📌 Be careful if you travel in the desert and this scorpion will not be your problem!
