Arizona Bark Scorpion

Centruroides sculpturatus

ScorpionadvancedVenom: Medically significantCommunal OK

Medically significant venom

North America's only medically significant scorpion. Stings cause severe pain, numbness, possible neuromuscular symptoms (involuntary muscle movement, blurred vision). Antivenom (Anascorp) available in the US. Children, elderly, and immunocompromised at highest risk. Keepers must have a sting protocol and local hospital contact.

About

Arizona Bark Scorpion — small but medically significant. Husbandry is straightforward (similar to Centruroides gracilis), but the keeper population is the bigger story: this is a HOT species and should only be kept by experienced keepers with proper containment. Locally illegal in some US states; check your local laws before acquiring. Communal in the wild but separating them in captivity is the safer call for the keeper.

Taxonomy

FamilyButhidae

GenusCentruroides

Native regionSouthwestern US (Arizona, southern California, NM), northern Mexico

TypeScansorial

Temperamentdefensive

Size & growth

Adult size2-3 inches

Length50.00–80.00 mm

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature75–90 °F

Humidity40–60%

Enclosure

Juvenile size4x4x6" tall

Adult size8x8x10" tall

SubstrateCoco + cork bark verticals

Substrate depth2 inches

Water dishRequired

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizeSmall crickets, roach nymphs

Juvenile cadenceTwice per week

Adult cadenceOnce per week

Times kept: 0