Bark Scorpion vs Desert Hairy Scorpion

The quick tellThe bark scorpion is slim and pale with thin pincers and a thin tail. The desert hairy scorpion is about twice as long, stocky and hairy. The small one is the one to take seriously.
Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)

Photo: Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Arizona bark scorpion

Medically significant · Centruroides sculpturatus

  • Slim, pale yellow to tan scorpion with thin pincers
  • Long thin tail, often curled to the side when resting
  • Climbs walls and ceilings
  • Glows under UV light, like other scorpions

Size: 2–3 in. Habitat: Desert scrub and city yards; often comes indoors.

The only US scorpion with a sting that is medically significant. Young children and older adults are at most risk.

Giant desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis)

Photo: Fritz Geller-Grimm, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Giant desert hairy scorpion

Painful, rarely serious · Hadrurus arizonensis

  • Largest scorpion in North America
  • Yellow body with dark back
  • Brown hairs on the tail and legs
  • Thick pincers

Size: 4–5.5 in. Habitat: Sandy desert flats and washes.

Looks scary, but the sting is about like a bee sting for most people.

Where each one lives

Alabama: neitherAlaska: neitherArizona: both live hereArkansas: neitherCalifornia: both live hereColorado: neitherConnecticut: neitherDelaware: neitherFlorida: neitherGeorgia: neitherHawaii: neitherIdaho: neitherIllinois: neitherIndiana: neitherIowa: neitherKansas: neitherKentucky: neitherLouisiana: neitherMaine: neitherMaryland: neitherMassachusetts: neitherMichigan: neitherMinnesota: neitherMississippi: neitherMissouri: neitherMontana: neitherNebraska: neitherNevada: both live hereNew Hampshire: neitherNew Jersey: neitherNew Mexico: Arizona bark scorpion onlyNew York: neitherNorth Carolina: neitherNorth Dakota: neitherOhio: neitherOklahoma: neitherOregon: neitherPennsylvania: neitherRhode Island: neitherSouth Carolina: neitherSouth Dakota: neitherTennessee: neitherTexas: neitherUtah: both live hereVermont: neitherVirginia: neitherWashington: neitherWest Virginia: neitherWisconsin: neitherWyoming: neither
Arizona bark scorpion: 5 states. Giant desert hairy scorpion: 4 states. Both live in 4 states.

Side by side

Arizona bark scorpionGiant desert hairy scorpion
DangerMedically significantPainful, rarely serious
Size2–3 in4–5.5 in
States54
HabitatDesert scrub and city yards; often comes indoorsSandy desert flats and washes

Questions

How can you tell a Arizona bark scorpion from a giant desert hairy scorpion?

The bark scorpion is slim and pale with thin pincers and a thin tail. The desert hairy scorpion is about twice as long, stocky and hairy. The small one is the one to take seriously.

Which one is dangerous?

The Arizona bark scorpion: medically significant. The giant desert hairy scorpion: painful, rarely serious. If you are not sure, keep your distance and do not handle it.

Where do both live?

Both live in 4 states: Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah.