18 Scorpions in California (With Pictures and Identification)

California is residence to a powerful variety of scorpions, with species tailored to its deserts, forests, and coastal hills. These arachnids vary from tiny, hard-to-spot dwellers of rocky slopes to massive, furry scorpions prowling the sandy dunes of the Mojave. Their appearances, behaviors, and habitats are as diversified because the landscapes they inhabit.

Scorpions in California are sometimes energetic at night time, utilizing their delicate hairs and venomous stingers to hunt bugs and small arthropods. Whereas some might look intimidating, the bulk have delicate venom that poses little danger to people. Understanding their roles within the ecosystem can result in better appreciation—and safer encounters—within the wild.

This text introduces 18 species of scorpions in California, full with photos and key identification particulars. From forest flooring to abandon basins, every profile contains data on dimension, markings, habitat, venom, and the place you’re most definitely to seek out them throughout the state.

Frequent Scorpions Present in California

Paruroctonus silvestrii (California Frequent Scorpion)

Paruroctonus silvestrii, generally referred to as the California widespread scorpion, is likely one of the most widespread scorpions within the state. It usually measures between 4 to 45 millimeters in size and contains a muted gray-brown coloration. One distinguishing function is the presence of delicate striping on its tail segments, which helps differentiate it from different native species. This scorpion has a slender construct and comparatively skinny pincers, permitting it to maneuver successfully in diversified terrain.

The venom of P. silvestrii is delicate and customarily not harmful to people, although it may trigger localized ache and swelling much like a bee sting. It tends to be a nocturnal hunter, hiding beneath rocks, logs, or leaf litter throughout the day to keep away from warmth and predators. At night time, it turns into energetic, utilizing vibrations to detect prey corresponding to bugs, spiders, and different small arthropods. Its looking conduct is opportunistic, and it not often strays removed from its hiding place except in quest of meals or mates.

This species is discovered all through a lot of California, notably in coastal and inland areas. It’s generally seen in chaparral, scrubland, and even suburban settings the place appropriate cowl is obtainable. From the coastal ranges to inside valleys, P. silvestrii thrives in Mediterranean-type climates with heat summers and delicate, moist winters. Its adaptability to completely different ecosystems makes it one of the crucial regularly encountered scorpions within the state.

Paruroctonus boreus (Northern Scorpion)

The Northern scorpion, Paruroctonus boreus, is among the many hardiest of California’s native scorpions and is usually discovered within the northern and high-altitude areas of the state. Adults can develop as much as 50 millimeters lengthy and show a darker coloration, typically brown or tan with outstanding darkish striping throughout the highest of the physique. These markings assist them camouflage amongst rocks and soil of their native habitats, which are typically extra rugged and forested in comparison with these of different Paruroctonus species.

Though its sting is just not thought of medically important, P. boreus does possess venom able to subduing its prey. It’s primarily insectivorous, preying on beetles, crickets, ants, and different small arthropods. This species is extremely tailored to cooler environments and is usually present in pine forests, rocky hillsides, and mountain slopes. It reveals a choice for shaded and humid microhabitats and could be energetic even at comparatively low temperatures in comparison with its desert-dwelling cousins.

Paruroctonus boreus is discovered within the northern elements of California, notably in counties bordering Oregon and inside mountainous areas such because the Sierra Nevada. Its vary contains rocky outcrops, forest flooring, and the sides of alpine meadows. This scorpion’s means to outlive in colder climates makes it distinctive amongst Californian scorpions, most of which favor arid or semi-arid environments.

Paruroctonus mesaensis (Mesa Scorpion)

Paruroctonus mesaensis, or the Mesa scorpion, is a desert-adapted species mostly present in Southern California’s sandy dune programs. This scorpion has a pale yellow to tan coloration, serving to it mix into desert sand. Adults usually attain 2 to three inches (round 50 to 75 millimeters) in size, making it one of many bigger members of its genus. Its lengthy, slender appendages and light-weight coloration are evolutionary traits for surviving the intense warmth and dryness of the desert.

This species is properly tailored to arid environments and is a proficient burrower. Throughout the warmth of the day, it stays hidden in self-made tunnels or beneath rocks, rising at night time to hunt. Its venom is comparatively delicate, not harmful to people, and is used primarily to paralyze bugs and small arthropods. P. mesaensis depends closely on tactile cues and vibrations to find prey within the unfastened sand and is thought for its velocity and agility on open desert terrain.

In California, P. mesaensis is usually restricted to the deserts of the southeastern area, together with elements of Riverside, Imperial, and San Bernardino counties. It favors open, sandy areas corresponding to dunes and desert basins, typically inside the Colorado Desert. Its choice for unfastened sand and dry environments makes it much less generally encountered than different scorpions except one is particularly looking desert landscapes at night time with a UV gentle.

Paruroctonus borregoensis (Borrego Sand Scorpion)

Paruroctonus borregoensis, the Borrego sand scorpion, is a medium-sized scorpion usually measuring between 30 to 35 millimeters in size. It has a pale beige or sandy brown coloration, which helps it mix seamlessly into the desert soil of its pure habitat. Although related in look to different desert-dwelling species, P. borregoensis is distinguishable by delicate morphological traits and its extra restricted geographic distribution.

Like many different Paruroctonus species, the Borrego sand scorpion is nocturnal and seeks shelter throughout the day beneath rocks or in burrows. It hunts actively at night time, feeding on bugs and different small arthropods. Its venom is just not recognized to be medically important to people, usually inflicting solely delicate signs if stung. This scorpion performs an essential function within the desert ecosystem as each predator and prey, and its behaviors are extremely attuned to the intense situations of the area.

This species is endemic to southern California, particularly within the deserts of San Diego and San Bernardino counties, together with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It inhabits arid environments with sandy or gravelly soils and sparse vegetation. The species’ identify is derived from the Borrego Valley, the place it’s mostly noticed, notably on heat desert nights utilizing UV flashlights.

Paruroctonus tulare (Tulare Basin Scorpion)

Paruroctonus tulare is a newly described species of scorpion, first formally documented in 2023. This species is native to the Tulare Basin inside California’s San Joaquin Desert, an space that was as soon as half of a giant freshwater lake system. Adults are comparatively small to medium in dimension and show cryptic sandy or brownish coloration. As a result of it was solely just lately recognized, lots of its bodily and behavioral traits are nonetheless being studied, but it surely shares similarities with different desert-adapted Paruroctonus species.

This scorpion is believed to be a nocturnal predator, looking bugs and small invertebrates throughout the cooler hours of the night time. Like its family members, it seemingly possesses a gentle venom not thought of harmful to people. The Tulare Basin scorpion’s ecological function inside its native surroundings is essential, particularly given the delicate and quickly altering nature of California’s Central Valley ecosystems. It seemingly makes use of burrows or cracks within the soil for shelter throughout the scorching daytime.

The recognized distribution of Paruroctonus tulare is restricted to the Tulare Basin and adjoining elements of the southern San Joaquin Valley in California. This species’ discovery underscores the significance of preserving Central Valley desert habitats, lots of which have been drastically altered by agriculture and growth. Its existence in such a extremely modified panorama highlights the resilience of native species and the continued want for conservation efforts.

Uroctonus mordax (California Forest Scorpion / Western Forest Scorpion)

Uroctonus mordax, generally referred to as the California forest scorpion or Western forest scorpion, is regularly encountered in Northern California, particularly in damp forested areas. Adults normally attain as much as 2 inches in size and have a compact physique with a wealthy darkish brown coloration, well-suited for camouflage in leaf litter and beneath bark. Their slender pincers and comparatively clean exoskeleton make them visually distinct from desert species.

This species has a gentle venom, roughly equal to a bee sting by way of ache and danger. Whereas not medically important, a sting could cause momentary swelling, itching, or localized discomfort. U. mordax is nocturnal and extremely secretive, remaining hidden beneath logs, stones, and bark throughout the day. At night time, it emerges to prey on bugs, beetles, and small arthropods. Its conduct is non-aggressive, and it usually avoids contact with people.

Uroctonus mordax thrives in moist, shaded habitats and is particularly widespread in redwood and oak forests. It ranges throughout the Bay Space, into the coastal mountain ranges and northward into Humboldt and Mendocino counties. The species is well-adapted to the cool, humid microclimates of California’s temperate forests and is likely one of the few scorpions present in such moist environments.

Uroctonites montereus

Uroctonites montereus is a lesser-known scorpion species native to the coastal hills and mountains of Central California. This small and elusive species belongs to a genus carefully associated to Uroctonus, however with extra specialised habitat preferences. Its physique is darkish in shade, typically brown or blackish, and its total dimension is comparatively modest. As a consequence of its cryptic nature, it’s seldom seen and stays poorly understood.

The venom of U. montereus is believed to be weak and never dangerous to people, much like different forest-dwelling scorpions. It seemingly leads a nocturnal life, hiding beneath rocks and inside forest particles throughout the day. At night time, it in all probability feeds on soft-bodied bugs and arthropods. Whereas not aggressive, it might rear up its tail if disturbed, although it’s extra more likely to flee than struggle.

This scorpion is primarily discovered within the coastal ranges stretching from San Mateo County southward. It inhabits hilly woodland environments, preferring undisturbed areas with wealthy leaf litter, decaying wooden, and moist situations. As a result of it’s so not often encountered and has a restricted vary, U. montereus is of curiosity to researchers finding out biodiversity in California’s coastal ecosystems.

Anuroctonus pococki (California Swollen-Stinger Scorpion)

Anuroctonus pococki, referred to as the California swollen-stinger scorpion, is a placing species named for its visibly enlarged and banded tail segments. It usually grows to about 65 millimeters in size and has a sturdy, reddish-brown to tan physique. The tail’s “pinstripe” sample and bulbous metasoma make it simply recognizable amongst California scorpions.

This species has a painful however not harmful sting. Whereas the venom is just not medically important to wholesome adults, a sting could cause intense localized ache and swelling. A. pococki is a burrowing species, recognized for digging deep and elaborate tunnels in unfastened soil. It spends nearly all of the day hidden underground and emerges at night time to hunt crickets, beetles, and different arthropods.

Anuroctonus pococki is discovered alongside the Southern California coast, notably in semi-arid scrublands and foothill areas with unfastened, sandy or loamy soils. Its vary contains elements of Ventura, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. As a result of it tends to keep away from human-altered landscapes, it’s extra more likely to be encountered in wild, undisturbed coastal habitats.

Centruroides exilicauda (Baja California Bark Scorpion)

Centruroides exilicauda, additionally known as the Baja California bark scorpion, is likely one of the extra medically important scorpions present in California. Adults vary from 2 to three inches in size and are usually slender, with a protracted, slim tail and skinny pincers. Their coloration is normally pale yellow or tan with faint markings, which assist them mix into desert and rocky environments.

This species has a comparatively sturdy venom that may trigger average to intense ache, numbness, or tingling on the sting website. Although not often life-threatening, stings from C. exilicauda might require medical consideration, notably for youngsters or these with allergy symptoms. In contrast to ground-dwelling species, bark scorpions are climbers and sometimes search refuge in tree bark, woodpiles, crevices, and even human constructions.

Centruroides exilicauda is distributed throughout Baja California and into southeastern elements of California, particularly in Imperial County and alongside the decrease Colorado River basin. It favors arid, rocky, and semi-urban areas, and is usually encountered in houses or garages. Its climbing conduct and stronger venom make it one of many extra essential scorpions to concentrate on in southern desert areas.

Centruroides sculpturatus (Arizona Bark Scorpion)

Centruroides sculpturatus, generally referred to as the Arizona bark scorpion, is likely one of the most venomous scorpions in North America and sometimes seems in southeastern California. It’s a slender species, usually reaching 2.5 to three inches in size, with a pale yellow to gentle brown physique and an elongated tail. Its look is almost similar to C. exilicauda, and the 2 have been as soon as thought of the identical species.

The sting of C. sculpturatus is considerably extra painful than that of most different U.S. scorpions and may trigger signs corresponding to muscle spasms, intense ache, numbness, and vomiting. Whereas deaths are extraordinarily uncommon because of fashionable antivenom, the species is taken into account medically essential and ought to be approached with warning. Like different bark scorpions, it’s arboreal and regularly climbs vertical surfaces, together with partitions and timber.

Though its main vary is in Arizona, this species crosses into southeastern California, notably within the Sonoran Desert areas of Riverside and Imperial counties. It prefers heat, rocky, and dry environments and is usually discovered beneath tree bark, in rock crevices, and inside human dwellings. Its means to adapt to city environments makes it a scorpion of concern in populated desert communities.

Hadrurus arizonensis (Desert Bushy Scorpion / Large Bushy Scorpion)

Hadrurus arizonensis, generally known as the Desert Bushy Scorpion or Large Bushy Scorpion, is the biggest scorpion species in North America, reaching as much as 14 centimeters (about 5.5 inches) in size. It has a placing look, with a sturdy physique coated in fantastic yellowish hairs and darker coloration on the again and tail. Its massive pedipalps (pincers) and bushy setae (sensory hairs) assist detect vibrations and motion in its desert surroundings.

Regardless of its intimidating dimension, the venom of H. arizonensis is comparatively delicate, producing ache and swelling much like a bee sting. It depends extra on its highly effective pincers to subdue prey corresponding to beetles, crickets, different scorpions, and even small lizards. This species is nocturnal and extremely tailored to abandon life, spending the recent daytime in deep burrows to keep up moisture and keep away from excessive warmth. Additionally it is one of the crucial long-lived scorpions, with lifespans reaching 20 years in captivity.

Hadrurus arizonensis is often discovered within the Mojave and Colorado deserts, together with southeastern California. It thrives in arid, sandy, and rocky areas of counties like San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial. Its massive dimension and distinctive hairs make it simply recognizable, particularly when encountered at night time utilizing ultraviolet (UV) lights, beneath which it glows a vibrant greenish hue.

Hadrurus spadix (Large Desert Bushy Scorpion)

Hadrurus spadix, also called the Large Desert Bushy Scorpion, is carefully associated to H. arizonensis however represents a definite species. It’s related in dimension and construct, typically rising as much as 12–14 centimeters (round 5 inches), and in addition has dense sensory hairs alongside its physique and limbs. Nonetheless, it tends to have darker total coloration, notably a blacker tail and cephalothorax, setting it aside from its cousin.

This species has a venom profile much like H. arizonensis, with stings that aren’t thought of harmful to people. As a substitute of counting on its venom, H. spadix primarily makes use of its energy and huge pincers to overpower prey. It’s a burrower, spending most of its time underground in self-dug tunnels that may attain a number of ft in depth. At night time, it emerges to hunt bugs, arachnids, and small vertebrates that stray too shut.

Hadrurus spadix inhabits desert areas of southeastern California, overlapping with the Mojave Desert and elements of the Colorado Desert. It shares related ecological preferences with H. arizonensis, favoring arid, open habitats with unfastened, sandy, or gravelly soils. Although they could happen in overlapping areas, these two species keep genetic distinctions and are not often discovered sharing the identical burrow or microhabitat.

Smeringurus mesaensis (Dune Scorpion / Dune Sand Scorpion)

Smeringurus mesaensis, referred to as the Dune or Dune Sand Scorpion, is a desert-adapted species that inhabits unfastened sandy soils, particularly in Southern California’s desert areas. Adults usually measure between 2.5 to three inches (about 65–75 mm) in size and have a pale yellow or beige physique that blends completely with their surroundings. They’re modern and agile, with skinny pincers and lengthy legs fitted to swift motion throughout open dunes.

The venom of S. mesaensis is delicate and never thought of medically important. Although a sting might trigger temporary discomfort, it poses little hazard to people. This scorpion is a voracious nocturnal hunter, utilizing its eager sensitivity to floor vibrations to find prey beneath the sand. It regularly hunts bugs, small spiders, and different invertebrates. Burrowing is a key survival technique, serving to it keep physique moisture and escape the desert warmth throughout the day.

This species is present in California’s southeastern deserts, particularly in sand dune programs inside Riverside and Imperial counties. It favors open dune habitats with sparse vegetation and is usually discovered within the Algodones Dunes and different elements of the Sonoran Desert. As a result of it’s extremely delicate to disturbance, it’s extra generally seen in undisturbed desert areas on heat, calm nights.

Vaejovis spinigerus (Striped-Tailed Scorpion / Stripe-Tail Scorpion)

Vaejovis spinigerus, also called the Striped-Tailed Scorpion or Stripe-Tail Scorpion, is a typical inhabitant of the dry deserts and rocky outcrops of Southern California. Adults usually measure round 2 to three inches in size and have a brown to tan physique with distinct darkish striping on the tail segments. These stripes are a key identification function and assist camouflage the scorpion amongst rocks and desert particles.

This species has a gentle sting, normally akin to a bee or wasp sting, with momentary ache and swelling usually. It’s non-aggressive and can sting solely when provoked or dealt with. V. spinigerus is nocturnal, rising at night time to feed on small bugs, spiders, and sometimes centipedes. It prefers crevices, rock piles, and shaded areas for daytime shelter and is thought for its means to outlive in arid and rocky terrain.

Vaejovis spinigerus is often discovered throughout the deserts of southeastern California, together with the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Its vary contains Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties. It thrives in dry, rocky habitats with restricted vegetation and may often be present in suburban or rural constructions close to its pure desert surroundings.

Vaejovis confusus (Yellow Floor Scorpion / Confuse Scorpion)

Vaejovis confusus, generally referred to as the Yellow Floor Scorpion or Confuse Scorpion, is a small- to medium-sized species present in arid and mountainous environments. It usually ranges from 25 to 45 mm in size and shows variable coloration—normally yellowish to gentle brown—with delicate patterns or mottling alongside its physique. The variability in its look is a part of what earned it the identify “confusus,” making discipline identification more difficult.

The venom of V. confusus is taken into account delicate and poses minimal danger to people. Like different members of the Vaejovis genus, it depends extra on stealth and camouflage than aggression. It hides beneath rocks, bark, and leaf litter by day, rising at night time to hunt bugs and different small arthropods. It makes use of its pincers to seize prey and its sting as a secondary measure. It’s usually non-aggressive except threatened.

This species is distributed throughout desert and montane areas in California, notably within the Mojave Desert and elements of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges. It may be present in each lowland arid zones and better elevations, particularly in areas with unfastened soils and rocky outcroppings. Although not as generally encountered as some desert species, it stays pretty widespread in appropriate microhabitats.

Serradigitus gertschi (Sawfinger Scorpion)

Serradigitus gertschi, additionally known as the Sawfinger Scorpion, is likely one of the smallest scorpions in California, measuring solely about 12 mm (beneath half an inch) in size. It has a slender, nearly delicate construct with unusually lengthy, skinny pincers that resemble serrated or “saw-like” constructions—therefore its identify. Its physique is normally gentle brown or translucent, and its small dimension makes it extraordinarily troublesome to detect within the wild.

Regardless of its tiny stature, S. gertschi is a practical predator, feeding on mites, tiny bugs, and different micro-arthropods. Its venom may be very weak and never medically important to people, seemingly used to immobilize minute prey. It’s nocturnal and reclusive, in search of refuge in sandy soils, beneath stones, or inside crevices throughout the day. Its conduct is timid and cautious, and it depends closely on its surroundings for defense.

This scorpion is primarily discovered alongside the Central Valley and coastal areas of California. Its most well-liked habitats embrace sandy or rocky slopes, typically with minimal vegetation. Reviews recommend that it might additionally inhabit canyon edges and foothill zones with dry, brittle terrain. Due to its dimension and elusive habits, S. gertschi isn’t encountered and simply neglected by informal observers or hikers.

Wernerius inyoensis

Wernerius inyoensis is a extremely elusive scorpion species found within the distant Inyo Mountains close to Demise Valley, California. This can be very small, averaging simply 17 mm (about two-thirds of an inch), and has a pale to gentle brown physique that blends in with desert rock and mud. This species is a part of the uncommon genus Wernerius, which incorporates a few of the least studied scorpions in North America.

Little or no is thought concerning the venom or conduct of W. inyoensis, however like its shut family members, it seemingly poses no risk to people. Its sting is presumed to be delicate and primarily used for subduing tiny prey. As a consequence of its reclusive nature and rugged habitat, it’s not often noticed. It’s believed to stay in cracks, beneath stones, and in sheltered rocky crevices, rising briefly at night time to hunt.

The recognized vary of Wernerius inyoensis is restricted to the Inyo Mountains in japanese California, close to the cruel and arid situations of Demise Valley Nationwide Park. Its choice for high-elevation desert cliffs and remoted canyons makes it one in every of California’s most mysterious and least understood scorpions. Its discovery highlights the potential for undiscovered arthropod variety in California’s most excessive landscapes.

Paruroctonus variabilis

Paruroctonus variabilis is an especially uncommon scorpion species native to the Bay Space of California. This small, calmly constructed scorpion reveals a sandy to pale brown coloration, permitting it to mix in with dry, grassy or scrubby environments. Whereas morphologically much like different Paruroctonus species, its identification requires professional information as a result of delicate variations in dimension and construction.

Its venom is believed to be delicate and non-dangerous to people. P. variabilis is a nocturnal hunter, feeding totally on small bugs and arthropods. Like different desert-adapted scorpions, it spends daytime hidden in shallow burrows or beneath particles. Its secretive habits and restricted geographic vary make encounters with this species very uncommon, even amongst skilled discipline researchers.

Presently, Paruroctonus variabilis is thought solely from a number of remoted websites across the Bay Space. It seemingly inhabits dry grasslands, rocky outcrops, and coastal foothills, although its exact distribution is just not absolutely documented. Conservationists and taxonomists have an interest on this species due to its restricted vary and potential sensitivity to habitat disturbance in one in every of California’s most closely developed areas.