Is Anyone Familiar With the Southern Unstriped Scorpion?

LadyShia77

Arachnobaron
Joined
Apr 18, 2022
Messages
317
Hello again. I just recently learned about the Southern Unstriped Scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus). I have lived in NC all of my life and have never come across one and I keep finding complifting information on where they can be found in NC. Is anyone on here familiar with this species and where to find them in North Carolina? Thanks in advance.
 

Joey Spijkers

Arachnoprince
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Messages
1,175
If there are no iNaturalist sightings in the state, it seems unlikely that it occurs there.
Websites stating otherwise could simply be the assumption that ''it has carolina in its name, so it probably occurs there'' with other sites copying this misinformation, which happens a lot unfortunately.
You could also look for scientific papers studying their natural distribution, if any are available.

I'm in Europe, so I can't help you any further than that. Maybe others will have first hand experience.
 

Outpost31Survivor

Arachnoprince
Joined
Aug 23, 2019
Messages
1,654
I found this, hopefully the link will work.
https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/view.php?sort_order_num=1000.00

It has a map on it.

I am curious about the “Unstriped” part of the common name. Unless there are lots of striped scorpions in the same area the Unstriped part just seems awkward.
It ranges from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee. Two striped species are found in other southeastern states - Centruroides hentzi and introduced populations of Centruroides vittatus (striped scorpions). The southeastern states doesn't have the scorpion diversity that the southwestern states west of Louisiana do.
 

Taffy

Arachnoknight
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Messages
235
Hello again. I just recently learned about the Southern Unstriped Scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus). I have lived in NC all of my life and have never come across one and I keep finding complifting information on where they can be found in NC. Is anyone on here familiar with this species and where to find them in North Carolina? Thanks in advance.
haha i am! i own like 8 of them. i collect them where i live a lot.
 

LadyShia77

Arachnobaron
Joined
Apr 18, 2022
Messages
317
This species is found in the southeastern United States on up into Virginia and central Kentucky. In North Carolina, it has been found primarily in western areas from Cherokee County to Polk County. However, it has been reported in other areas of the state as well.

I noticed it looks to be in nearly every county surrounding my county, but not in my county. lol

haha i am! i own like 8 of them. i collect them where i live a lot.
Lucky lol. If they would happen to be found in my area where would be good places to look?
 

Taffy

Arachnoknight
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Messages
235
I noticed it looks to be in nearly every county surrounding my county, but not in my county. lol


Lucky lol. If they would happen to be found in my area where would be good places to look?
elevated forests. look for forests that are at higher elevations, once you’ve found a good forest you then need to look for rock slates. go at night time, bring a black light, and look under rock slates. you’ll find them. they can be tricky to find sometimes. they dont like super dry places but they don’t like moist places either. you’ll find them in slightly damp areas.
 

LadyShia77

Arachnobaron
Joined
Apr 18, 2022
Messages
317
I've had them about 7 months and one gave birth last night
Awe...Congratulations. If I wasn't on a tight budget at the moment, I would try to convince you to sell and ship me one lol. It's good to see that someone actually has that species.
 

SilentBob63

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 13, 2023
Messages
7
Awe...Congratulations. If I wasn't on a tight budget at the moment, I would try to convince you to sell and ship me one lol. It's good to see that someone actually has that species.
and tonight the second one gave birth!
 

Ultum4Spiderz

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
6,238
I’ve never seen scorpions in nc but I’ve only visited outer banks and nags head part of the place. Never even looked for bugs on this years trip , .. :sad: probably all I’d find is roaches haha . And don’t want those .. those species can climb anything.
 

SilentBob63

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 13, 2023
Messages
7
last weekend i released mine back into the wild. i wild caught them in the same area so returning them doesnt change any balance of nature, just a slight inconvenience for the scorpions and they got a lot of cricket meals in exchange :)
 
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