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.

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