Scorpions are venomous but there's
only one species in the United States that's considered deadly. Overall, they range in size from smaller than a dime to over 8 inches long and are
nocturnal, predatory animals that feed on a variety of insects, spiders,
centipedes, and other scorpions. The
larger varieties occasionally feed on vertebrates such as small lizards, snakes,
and mice.
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Two non-dangerous types.
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Range
and Habitat
As a geologist, you're most likely to find
scorpions during the
day while picking up or overturning rocks under which they're resting.
Having been surprised, they will usually seek the nearest shelter -- sometimes
by scurrying right up your pants if that's the only dark place to hide!
Scorpions occur in many habitats including deserts,
grasslands and savannahs, deciduous forests, montane pine forests, rain forest
and caves. They have even been
found under snow-covered rocks at elevations of over 12,000 feet in the Andes
Mountains of South America and the Himalayas of Asia. They can be found
anywhere though are typically in wood piles and rock piles, and some species
simply burrow in the sand.
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Scorpion
Venom
About 20 scorpion species worldwide
also have venom potent enough to be considered deadly to humans. The
world's most dangerous scorpions live in North Africa, the Middle East, South
America, India, and Mexico.
Scorpion venoms are complex mixtures of neurotoxins.
The venom may produce severe pain and swelling at the site
of the sting, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficulties in breathing
(including respiratory paralysis), muscle twitching, and convulsions.
Death is rare, especially in more recent times.
An antivenin is available for severe cases.
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Arizona Bark Scorpion
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| The Arizona Bark Scorpion is found over much
of Arizona; small populations occur in southeastern California
and southern Utah. They are usually yellow or brownish-yellow with dark longitudinal stripes, and grow
to around three inches in length. Their pincers are long and slender as
opposed to large and lobster-like. Nearly all deaths from this scorpion have been in small
children, the elderly, and the severely allergic. |
Despite the scorpion's bad reputation,
this is the ONLY species in the U.S. having venom potent enough to be considered deadly
to humans. |
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| As with all animals, these creatures are a
normal and desired part of the
ecosystem.
Seeing one should be considered a real treat and not an opportunity to
molest it or kill it. |
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© Sawyer Products |
Death by a scorpion sting, if it occurs, is the result of heart or
respiratory failure some hours after the incident. Fortunately,
most scorpion stings are no more painful than a honeybee sting, and the
entry wound may not even be visible. Being they're giant arachnids,
treat stings as though a big spider bit you. A snakebite kit such as
the Sawyer Extractor™ is quite useful in such a case. |
| For stings from the AZ Bark Scorpion, the site will be
immediately painful and difficult to even touch. This will likely be
accompanied by swelling, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficulty
breathing, muscle twitching, convulsions and possibly respiratory failure.
Any of the above should be a clue that you NEED to be seen by a doctor.
Call the Poison Center for additional
information. |
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