What kind of Scorpion is this?

[Chris Behof]

I live in Phoenix, AZ and just found this small scorpion in my house today. I am a huge snake/reptile guy but don't know squat about scorpions since we just moved out here.

I believe there are at least 30 different types of scorpions in AZ so I need help narrowing it down to see if it is a possible threat to my family/dogs.

I found it on the ceiling in my kitchen and it very small, maybe the width of a dime or so.

Thanks a bunch for the help!


Chris Behof
CB Reptiles
www.cbreptiles.com

 

[Treynok]

My guess, an immature Centruroides sculpturatus - Arizona bark scorpion. Not threatening to a healthy adult unless allergic but it can be medically significant, I'm not sure how a dog would take to a sting from these but these are among the more venomous of the species in the US.

Sting Reports on this forum
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=125724

 

[scorpionmom]

It guess it could be a immature Centruroides sculpturatus. It is not very dangerous to a healthy adult but could be medically significant to a child or, in your case, a dog. But don't take this as a bad thing. Scorpions are incredible animals. Do you plan on keeping this one?

 

[Chris Behof]

Thanks for the help guys!

I'll assume its a bark and take appropriate precautions. And yes, I will try to raise it up for a while!

Crickets are fine for food I'm guessing?

Chris

 

[Michiel]

100% positive C.sculpturatus, an instar 4 judging by the size...probably molted a few weeks ago, judging by the striking coloration.

 

[Chris Behof]

"Instar 4"

What does this mean?

 

[Michiel]

lifestages in scorpions are called instars, at birth they are instar 1, when they molt, instar 2, then they molt to instar 3 etc etc

 

[scorpionmom]

Thanks for the help guys!

I'll assume its a bark and take appropriate precautions. And yes, I will try to raise it up for a while!

Crickets are fine for food I'm guessing?

Chris

Yes, crickets will be fine. Try to replicate the habitat you found it in. Good luck!

 

[Chris Behof]

Try to replicate the habitat you found it in. Good luck!

Hahahaha.......I found it in my kitchen, should I put a plate and a spoon in the cage? ; )

 

[scorpionmom]

Hahahaha.......I found it in my kitchen, should I put a plate and a spoon in the cage? ; )

That is funny. No, sand. Try to find some away from roads or places that it could have been sprayed with chemicals. Also, bark is a must, especially vertically. Research more about it if you are seriously planning to keep it.

 

[Chris Behof]

What do I do for water? Do they need any or do they get it from the prey items?

 

[AzJohn]

What do I do for water? Do they need any or do they get it from the prey items?

Lightly spray water on the soil once a week. Don't let it get soaked and let it dry out between waterings.

 

[Kaos]

Hahahaha.......I found it in my kitchen, should I put a plate and a spoon in the cage? ; )

Yep, and use pasta as substrate

Nah, copy the outside environment near your house and it should be fine.