Good places to hunt for scorpions

[KevinsWither]

Where is a good place to hunt for scorpions in Arizona or in the wild? And where would they hide? I know to get a black light.

 

[pannaking22]

Can't tell you a place to look for scorps since I don't live in Arizona (though I enjoy visiting), but I can say that wandering around after dark in areas with lots of rocks or logs should be good. That or you can go around and flip these things yourself. Probably least risky to wander around after dark though since you never really know what's underneath those rocks and logs when you flip them.

 

[darkness975]

What species are you looking for? That will determine the best place to look.

 

[KevinsWither]

I am looking for the giant desert hairy scorpions or some other scorpions. Like the striped devil scorpion.

 

[KevinsWither]

Also, when would be a good time to hunt? Any places to search for them?

 

[Smokehound714]

spinigerus are much more active than hadrurus.

They're more readily found by searching open areas and flipping stones or wood. They also like a wide range of habitats ranging from true desert, to thornscrub, and even the alpine zone of arizona's mountains.

Locating burrows is a good way to find scorpions. Scout around during the daytime, pin your location, and return at night.

spinigerus also love abandoned animal burrows. You'll actually find a wide range of scorpions in az.


S vachoni can be found around rocky talus-strewn slopes with compacted sand.

S mesaensis can be found in washes- not confined to dunes!

Lots of weird vaejovidae in az too. You may find the elusive s subtilimanus in the same habitat as s vachoni, as well as kochius hirsuticauda and other uncommon and neat species.

Ill see if i can google up decent habitat for you. I should warn you that some locations probably lack street view data though.. So i may not be too accurate. May have to explore.

 

[KevinsWither]

Also, could there be centipedes, spiders and other creatures? Camel Spiders? Any thing with the city I need to worry about? Praying mantids?

 

[Smokehound714]

Also, could there be centipedes, spiders and other creatures? Camel Spiders? Any thing with the city I need to worry about? Praying mantids?

Just stay out of preserve lands and you should be okay. From what I see on the map outside of satellite mode, the actual preserve is quite a hike from that parking lot.

You could find S polymorpha, Hemiscolopendra, and possibly S heros. (be careful with heros, they have potent venom).

 

[KevinsWither]

What do you mean by preserve lands? Do I just look around the parking lot? Do I have to pay for parking?

 

[Smokehound714]

What do you mean by preserve lands? Do I just look around the parking lot? Do I have to pay for parking?

probably not.. just looks like a simple dirt parking area.

if you look at that area in google maps with satellite view turned off, you'll see the boundaries of the preserve to the north as a big green block. check out the area towards the east. the further away from lights, the better.

 

[arachnothing]

Hadrurus burrows are often at the base of shrubs. They get down between the roots/enjoy the cover they provide. Dont forget your UV. Dont get bit by a rattlesnake if you can avoid it...

 

[KevinsWither]

Also, would I find native mantids or some other cool insects along with spiders? Any dangers I need to know? Best time to get there?

 

[Smokehound714]

You guys have quite a few mantids in that area.. grasshopper mantids, ground mantids, stagmomantis, iris oratoria, etc. Not sure if unicorn mantids range into your region, but they may be a possibility.

 

[KevinsWither]

Camel spiders, vineagroons, lizards, etc?

 

[callum b]

Will scorpions still be active and findable at this time of year? I'm going to be around the southwest US as of next Tuesday and I'm hoping to get to photograph a few species.

 

[Desert scorps]

Will scorpions still be active and findable at this time of year? I'm going to be around the southwest US as of next Tuesday and I'm hoping to get to photograph a few species.

Yes, there should be quite a few still. I know vaejovis confusus and other smaller species are active almost the entire winter whereas hadrurus arizonensis will be getting ready to go deep underground for winter. If you're lucky you could find some hadrurus arizonensis. If you are going to arizona you should have no trouble finding hadrurus spp.

 

[Chillilisous]

Will scorpions still be active and findable at this time of year? I'm going to be around the southwest US as of next Tuesday and I'm hoping to get to photograph a few species.

A good friend of mine is currently spending time in the area and has seen S. polymorphia, multiple scorpions, and vinegaroons everywhere. Also desert spiny lizards.

 

[KevinsWither]

Could one also find tarantulas and some forms of carnivorous katydids?

 

[Hisserdude]

I suggest you go to bugguide.net, go to the page of whatever bug you want to find and press the "Data" button, then you can see if they are found in AZ or not. And if you are a member of bugguide, you can click on the AZ button and look at all the sightings.