Scorpions are found all across the world. There are over 2,000 different species found on six of the seven continents. They prey on insects, arthropods and in some cases small vertebrates. Because scorpions can live in such hash environments they have adapted the ability to slow their metabolism to as little as one-third the rate for most arthropods. This enables some species to use little oxygen and live on a single insect a year. Even with lowered metabolism, the scorpion has the ability to spring quickly to the hunt when the opportunity presents itself something that many hibernating species are unable to do. Some species can have over 100 viviparous offspring, followed by the young climbing on the mother’s back for weeks until first molt and living independently. All scorpions are venomous, they use their venom to paralyze and kill their pray and in self defense. Even small young scorpions can inject you with the same amount of venom as adults.
There are more than 45 species of scorpions found in Arizona. Most common in the Phoenix area is the Bark Scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda) which also happens to be the most venomous and only lethal scorpion in Arizona.
Here is a list of most the scorpions that can be found in Arizona
Centruroides sculpturatus Hadrurus arizonensis Hadrurus spadix Anuroctonus phaiodactylus Diplocentrus peloncillensis Diplocentrus spitzeri Superstitionia donensis Paruroctonus ammonastes Paruroctonus baergi Paruroctonus becki Paruroctonus boreus Paruroctonus borregoensis Paruroctonus gracilior Paruroctonus hirsutipes Paruroctonus luteolus | Paruroctonus stahnkeiParuroctonus utahensis Paruroctonus xanthus Smeringurus mesaensis Smeringurus vachoni Gertschius agilis Wernerius mumai Serradigitus joshuaensis Serradigitus miscionei Serradigitus wupatkiensis Stahnkeus allredi Stahnkeus subtilimanus Hoffmannius coahuilae Hoffmannius confusus Hoffmannius spinigerus Kochius crassimanus | Kochius hirsuticauda Kochius russelli Kochius sonorae Pseudouroctonus apacheanus Pseudouroctonus species Uroctonites huachuca Vaejovis cashi Vaejovis crumpi Vaejovis deboerae Vaejovis electrum Vaejovis feti Vaejovis jonesi Vaejovis lapidicola Vaejovis paysonensis Vaejovis tenuipalpus Vaejovis vorhiesi |
Scorpions are often found in the desert, although there are many urban habitats that are attractive to the scorpion. Scorpions are often found near mountains, buttes and the outskirts where there has been little urbanization. New construction can cause scorpions to move from there habitat this explains why homes adjacent to new construction often find themselves infested. A water source such as a lake or canal will attract prey for scorpions.