Fun Bark Scorpion Facts For Kids

There are more than 25 species of scorpions in Nevada, but Bark scorpions are considered as most poisonous and commonly found as a pest in the Las Vegas Valley. They are found all across the globe.

They usually grow 2-3 in (5-7.6 cm) and are brownish and yellowing in color. Their stings may not be deadly, but they are venomous it can cause a severe convulsion for 24-72 hours.

Bark scorpions are known as one of the most venomous scorpions that can be found in the wild and are often seen as pests because of their presence in human habitats. The adult male is slightly larger than the female.

Bark scorpions can be incredibly resistant, during nuclear testing by the US, alongside lizards and cockroaches, they were found to have had no effect on their bodies, even after coming in contact with nuclear energy.

If you enjoyed our fun facts about Bark scorpion, you might also want to read our articles on crab spider and painted lady butterfly too!
 

Bark Scorpion Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a bark scorpion?

Bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is one of the deadliest species of scorpions in North America, and it comes in a shade of yellowish and brownish color. They have eight legs and a tail that injects venom.

This venom comes from two glands of venom that are used as a means of hunting and self-defense. They do not have bones, instead, they have an exoskeleton that is similar to that of shrimps.

What class of animal does a bark scorpion belong to?

The bark scorpion belongs to the class of arachnids, they have eight legs similar to spiders, ticks, and mites. They are equipped with a subdivided tail that curves back a pair of pincers.

Arachnids are known to lay eggs and have a simple development where the babies are exact replicas of their adult parents and grow bigger as they get older. Some arachnids, especially ticks, go through a lot of changes in their body shape as they grow older.

Arachnids are a larger part of anthropods, which include insects and crustaceans. All arachnids have exoskeletons and legs that are jointed and, when gr0wing, shed their whole exoskeleton. This shedding process is called "molting."

How many bark scorpions are there in the world?

At present, there is no accurate data available on the population of bark scorpions in the world as these small species are hard to track and are widely spread all across the globe and considered the most venomous pest.

Where does a bark scorpion live?

Bark scorpions like places that are cool and misty, and these places are generally found in cracks, which include under barks of trees, underneath bricks and rocks, and finally, in some cases, underneath or in houses.

They choose a place that has an adequate amount of humidity and moisture as these conditions are the best for them to thrive in.

What is a bark scorpion's habitat?

Arizona bark scorpion range is found in the United States, California, southern Utah, and Western Mexico. The red bark scorpion is cold-blooded species and needs temperatures ranging between 72-82 degrees.

Striped bark scorpion habitat consists of grasslands, forests, and deserts. They are nocturnal, but during the daytime, they hide under the cracks of rocks and sheds.

Who do bark scorpions live with?

Bark scorpions are rarely alone, they are always found in a large group. Females carry their family of young babies on their backs.

During winter, when they are hibernating, they prefer clusters of large groups. In the winter months, they will hibernate, often congregating in large groups. The desert hairy scorpion is very aggressive compared to bark scorpions, and it lives individually.

How long does a bark scorpion live?

The average lifespan of an Arizona bark scorpion is five to seven years, they may survive longer in wild. Some species live up to the age of 20-25 years.

How do they reproduce?

Bark scorpions are born live, females nutrify the eggs in their body which takes around 8 months. Female scorpions give birth to 13-47 scorplings, they are sexually matured at the age of one.

The gestation period of scorpions, which depends on the species they belong to, may take from a few months to as long as one year.

Sexual cannibalism, a rare occurrence among scorpions, can occur in bark scorpions, which leads the male to leave just as the mating procedure is over.

What is their conservation status?

They are listed as Least Concern; they are considered the most poisonous pest in North America. They are found all across the globe.

Bark Scorpion Fun Facts

What do bark scorpions look like?

Bark scorpion identification is its brownish and yellow color, plus they are 2-3 in (5.1-7.6 cm) long. They glow green under UV rays. They are nocturnal and can be easily spotted from six ft (1.8 m) far during nighttime.

How cute are they?

On a scale of 1-10, Arizona bark scorpion scores a 1! These creatures are not cute at all, they are very aggressive and poisonous.

How do they communicate?

During mating, to show their interest in a female, males will release pheromones which act as an attractant. And they will also vibrate their bodies.

Bark scorpions have very poor eyesight, so they use their other senses like using body hair and using their stinger to disable their prey.

How big is a bark scorpion?

Bark scorpions can grow up to 2-3 in (5.1-7.6 cm). The bark scorpion size is smaller compared to other scorpions, however.

How fast can a bark scorpion run?

With eight legs, bark scorpions can move very fast as they are extremely agile. They can travel at a speed of 12 mph (19.3 kph).

How much does a bark scorpion weigh?

The Arizona bark scorpion weighs about 0.3-3.5 oz (10-100 g)

What are their male and female names of the species?

At present, no particular names have been assigned to the specific sexes of the bark scorpion.

What would you call a baby bark scorpion?

Newborn Arizona bark scorpions are called scorplings. Female scorpions give birth to 13-47 scorplings until their first molt they climb on their mother's back and are carried for almost three weeks.

What do they eat?

The Arizona bark scorpion has a similar feeding habit to other scorpions, the Arizona bark scorpion prey on all kinds of insects such as cockroaches, battles, crickets, spiders, and other scorpions. They are opportunistic predators and eat any small animal they capture.

Are they venomous?

Yes, Arizona bark scorpions are very venomous, but not enough to kill a human with antivenom available. Arizona bark scorpion is considered to be the most venomous in Northern America. Their venom causes severe pain and immobilization and experiences convulsions lasting between 24-72 hours.

Would they make a good pet?

No, they are not considered to be good pets, they are extremely aggressive and have a lot of venom in them, which is outright deadly! This venom can be lethal to you if they sting. It is recommended only for experienced collectors, Arizona bark scorpion needs a ten-gallon tank with a locking screen top.

Did you know...

A male bark scorpion has a longer tail than a female. In a bark scorpion's lifespan, it molts six times before maturity.

The biggest difference between yellow ground scorpion vs bark scorpion is that the yellow ground scorpion's first two metasomal segments are wider and longer.

Fun fact! Arizona bark scorpions' pincers are extended and thin, whereas other scorpions have lobster-like barbs.

Arizona bark scorpions can climb trees, walls, and rough areas, but they cannot climb glass or any smooth areas.

Sometimes striped bark scorpion sting treatment is not required by a healthy adult, all they need to do is clean the wound with mild soap and take a mild pain reliever.

Brown Bark scorpion sting symptoms include difficulty in breathing, drooling, sweating, high blood pressure, Nausea, vomiting, and muscle twitching. Striped bark scorpion Texas stings are not usually as deadly as stings from other scorpions, the swelling can be treated by just using an ice pack.

A sting from a baby scorpion is not enough to kill you, but you have to make sure to get treated as quickly as possible!

Meerkats somehow have little fear of this venomous species, in fact, they prey easily on scorpions.

What do bark scorpions look like under UV light?

Bark scorpions portray a glow that is green in nature (fluorescence) under UV light, they can be spotted during the night from a distance of six feet. Young Arizona bark scorpions do not glow under UV rays for a few days from the day they are born.

What do baby bark scorpions do once hatched?

Arizona bark scorpion babies after being hatching will make their way up to the pincers of their mother by crawling and eventually get on her back. Babies will then ride around on her back for almost three weeks until their first molt.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods including scorpion, or garden spider.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our bark scorpion coloring pages.