Arizona Bark Scorpion
Centruroides sculpturatus (Note: This is actually a scorpion, not a spider, from the order Scorpiones)
Buthidae, Order Scorpiones
Physical Description
Elongated body consisting of a cephalothorax (prosoma) and abdomen (opisthosoma) terminating in a segmented tail (metasoma) with a stinger, accompanied by prominent pedipalps with pincers.
Size Estimate
Adults range from 2.5 to 3 inches in total length.
Coloration & Markings
Light yellowish-brown to dark tan, sometimes with faint longitudinal stripes on the back.
Web Type
Does not build a web; actively hunts on foot.
Eye Arrangement
A pair of median eyes on top of the cephalothorax and several lateral eyes along the front corners.
Leg Characteristics
Four pairs of slender walking legs with fine sensory hairs, adapted for climbing vertical surfaces.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Neurotoxic venom that is the most potent of any North American scorpion, causing severe pain, numbness, and potential systemic symptoms.
Medical Significance
Medically significant. Stings can be extremely painful and dangerous, particularly for children, the elderly, and pets, requiring prompt medical evaluation and potentially antivenom.
Safety Recommendations
Seal entry points to the home, shake out shoes and clothing before wearing, avoid walking barefoot at night, and use professional pest control if infestations occur.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Found primarily in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico; favors arid environments, rocky areas, and under tree bark, frequently entering human dwellings.
Behavior & Temperament
Nocturnal, solitary, and highly agile. Will sting defensively when cornered or compressed against skin.
Diet & Prey
Carnivorous; feeds primarily on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods using its pincers and venomous stinger.
Seasonal Activity
Most active during warm spring and summer months, seeking shelter indoors or in cool microhabitats during extreme heat and winter.
Description
An expert arachnid guide noting that although commonly confused with spiders due to eight legs and arachnid classification, this specimen is a scorpion characterized by its slender pincers and curved tail.
Key Features
Slender pincers, a segmented tail carried curled over the back, and a slender body profile capable of fitting through narrow cracks.
Similar Species
Striped Bark Scorpion (Centruroides vittatus), distinguished by slightly different markings and narrower native distribution ranges.
Life Cycle
Viviparous; females give birth to live young that climb onto the mother's back until their first molt, progressing through several instars to adulthood over a few years.
Ecological Importance
Acts as an effective nocturnal predator that helps control populations of household and agricultural insect pests.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN; abundant and highly adaptable throughout its native range.
Interesting Facts
Bark scorpions are exceptional climbers, frequently found climbing walls and ceilings, and they glow a vibrant neon blue-green under ultraviolet (black) light.
Photography Tips
Photograph from a safe distance using macro lenses in natural light, or use a UV light in the dark to make the specimen glow for striking documentation.
Identified: 2026-08-01T02:18:59.366680