Insect identifier · Spiders and scorpions
How to identify a Arizona bark scorpion
Centruroides sculpturatus
· Also called bark scorpion, centruroides, arizona scorpion, bark scorpion identification, arizona scorpion sting
The Arizona bark scorpion is the U.S. scorpion whose sting is regularly of serious medical concern, especially for children. Identification is slender straw color and climbing, not bulk.
Straw-colored, thin pincers, climbs shoes and block walls, glows under UV, Sonoran Desert. U.S. scorpion most often linked to serious symptoms in children. Call poison control. Do not wait. Fat-pincer scorpions are usually a different, less toxic animal. Striped bark scorpions live farther east.
What does a arizona bark scorpion look like?
Straw-colored and slender, thin pincers, relatively thick tail. Climbs walls and into shoes. Glows under UV.
Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is Slender, 6–8 cm including tail. Colors people notice: tan, yellow. Field marks: Straw-colored and slender; Pincers thin, tail relatively thick; Climbs walls and into shoes; Glows under UV light. It is found both. If those marks are missing, open Striped bark scorpion before you force this name. Search phrases that belong on this page include what a arizona bark scorpion looks like and arizona bark scorpion identification.
Identification marks
- Straw-colored and slender
- Pincers thin, tail relatively thick
- Climbs walls and into shoes
- Glows under UV light
Size: Slender, 6–8 cm including tail
Colors: tan, yellow
Where: both
What a typical arizona bark scorpion bite looks like
Immediate burning, then tingling and numbness. Severe cases: twitching, trouble swallowing, unusual eye movements. Call poison control or ER for children or severe symptoms. Little to see on the skin.
People searching “arizona bark scorpion bite identification” want the pattern, not a single anonymous bump. Immediate burning pain, then tingling and numbness. Severe cases: twitching, trouble swallowing, or unusual eye movements. Immediate steps on this page: Call poison control or go to ER for children or severe symptoms; Ice the site; Do not cut the wound; Shake out shoes and bedding in range. This species does bite or sting people. Fever, spreading redness, trouble breathing, or a child with many stings is professional care.
If you were bitten
- Call poison control or go to ER for children or severe symptoms
- Ice the site
- Do not cut the wound
- Shake out shoes and bedding in range
Arizona bark scorpion vs Striped bark scorpion
Slender, straw-colored, thin pincers, climbs. Fat-pincer desert scorpions are usually less toxic. Striped bark scorpions have two dark back stripes and live farther east (Texas band).
- Striped bark scorpion identification (Centruroides vittatus)
Range and season
Sonoran Desert and nearby Southwest. Warm nights, often after monsoon rains.
Arizona and nearby Sonoran Desert: block walls, shoes, sinks, and palm skirts on warm nights.
Sonoran Desert and nearby Southwest. The only scorpion in the U.S. whose sting is regularly of serious medical concern, especially for children.
Warm nights; often after monsoon rains
Common questions
How bad is an Arizona bark scorpion sting?
Painful for everyone; potentially serious for young children and medically fragile people. Get expert care rather than waiting.
Do all desert scorpions need the ER?
Not all. Bark scorpions are the priority species in Arizona.
What does the sting look like?
Little to see — a small red mark. Symptoms are neurologic more than a big welt.
What does an Arizona bark scorpion look like?
Slender and straw-colored, thin pincers, climbs walls and into shoes. It glows under UV light.
Is an Arizona bark scorpion sting dangerous?
It is the U.S. scorpion most often linked to serious symptoms, especially in children.