Scorpions in Georgia are fascinating nocturnal carnivores that are best observed after dark. A remarkable feature of these creatures is their ability to glow a bright blue color under ultraviolet light. This bioluminescence makes it easier for enthusiasts to use blacklights to find and study scorpions in their natural environment, offering a unique experience for nighttime explorers.
In this article, we provide a list of the 10 most common scorpion species that can be found in Georgia and how to identify them.
Different Types of Scorpions in Georgia
Arizona Bark Scorpion
The poisonous Centruroides sculpturatus, commonly known as the Arizona bark scorpion, is indigenous to the southwestern parts of the United States, including Arizona. Its thin body and light yellow coloring make it easy to identify. Arizona bark scorpions are 2 to 3 inches long when they are adults, and their backs are distinctly marked with dark patterns.
The desert regions of Arizona are home to the Arizona bark scorpion; however, it is also found in some areas of California, Nevada, New Mexico, Georgia, and Utah. Being skilled climbers, these scorpions are frequently discovered in trees, beneath stones, within dwellings, and in other protected locations.
Due to their excellent adaptation to arid conditions, Arizona bark scorpions are mostly active at night. They consume a wide range of tiny foods, including spiders, insects, and even other scorpions. These scorpions have strong venom, and people may experience excruciating pain and other effects from their bites. When handling an Arizona bark scorpion, it’s crucial to use caution.
Giant Hairy Desert Scorpion
One of the biggest species of scorpions in the United States is the Giant hairy desert scorpion, or Hadrurus arizonensis. Its sturdy body is often pale yellow or tan in color, and it measures around 5 to 6 inches in length. Its name implies that it is covered in long, bristly hairs.
The desert regions of the southwestern United States, which include states like Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, are home to Giant hairy desert scorpions. Some regions of Mexico are also home to them. These scorpions live in sandy desert environments and may burrow behind rocks or into the ground during the day.
As nocturnal hunters, Giant hairy desert scorpions feed on a variety of small animals, including insects, spiders, and other arthropods. They have strong venom that can hurt and cause discomfort if stung. But because of their small and very slow mobility, they are less likely to come into touch with people, which lowers the possibility of unintentional stings.
Stripe-tailed Scorpion
The medium-sized stripe-tailed scorpion (Paravaejovis spinigerus) is distinguished by its yellowish-brown coloring and striking dark stripes on its tail. The strong body form of an adult stripe-tailed scorpion is around 2.5 to 3 inches in length.
The southwestern states of the United States, which include Arizona, New Mexico, Georgia, and Texas, are home to stripe-tailed scorpions. Some areas of Mexico are home to them as well. These scorpions are best suited for dry settings, where they frequently hide themselves beneath logs, rocks, or leaf litter.
Primarily nocturnal, stripe-tailed scorpions come out at night to hunt prey. Their primary food sources are tiny arthropods like spiders and insects. They may immobilize and kill their prey with their strong claws and poisonous stingers. These scorpions’ stings can inflict localized pain and discomfort, even though their venom is not thought to be very harmful.
Northern Scorpion
The northern scorpion, scientifically named Paruroctonus boreus, is a species of scorpion distinguished by its modest size in relation to other species and its slender body. The average length of an adult northern scorpion is between 2.5 and 3 inches. Their body segments contain dark markings, and their overall appearance is light brown or yellowish-brown.
Georgia, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon are among the states in which the northern scorpion is predominantly found in the United States. They can also be found in several areas of Canada, especially in Alberta and British Columbia. This species can be found in burrows, under logs, and in rocky regions. It loves dry conditions.
Being nocturnal animals, northern scorpions only come out at night to seek food. Their main sources of food are tiny invertebrates such as spiders and insects. They have venom glands and a stinger, just like all scorpions, which they utilize to pierce their victims with poison. Although their venom is normally not harmful to humans, those who are allergic to insects or who are easily irritated by their stings may react more severely.
Striped Bark Scorpion
One of the most prevalent scorpion species in the US is the striped bark scorpion, scientifically known as Centruroides vittatus. Its slim build and unique yellowish-tan coloring make it easy to identify. The length of an adult striped bark scorpion is around 2.5 to 3 inches, and it has two dark longitudinal stripes down its back.
Many states in the United States, including Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Kansas, Arizona, and New Mexico, are home to striped bark scorpions. Some areas of Mexico are home to them as well. These scorpions favor dry, warm climates, and they frequently spend the day hiding behind rocks, logs, or bark.
Due to its high degree of adaptability, this species of scorpion can live in a wide range of environments, such as deserts, grasslands, and woodlands. Primarily nocturnal, striped bark scorpions feed on insects, spiders, and other tiny arthropods. They are thought to have moderately potent venom, which, while it can hurt and cause discomfort if a human is stung, is usually not fatal.
Southern Unstriped Scorpion
Vaejovis carolinianus, often known as the southern unstriped scorpion, is a small species of scorpion distinguished by the absence of prominent markings or stripes on its back. Compared to other scorpions, it has a very sturdy body, and it is typically dark brown or black in appearance. The length of an adult southern unstriped scorpion is around 2.5 to 3 inches.
The southeastern part of the United States, which includes states like Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, is home to the southern unstriped scorpion. Parts of Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi are also home to them. This species is more at home in woodland regions where there is leaf litter, logs, and other detritus.
During the day, southern unstriped scorpions hide in their burrows or beneath things. They are most active at night. Their main food source is tiny invertebrates, such as millipedes, spiders, and insects. Those stung may have localized pain, swelling, and redness at the sting site, even though their venom is not thought to be medically relevant.
Giant Whipscorpion
Mastigoproctus giganteus, commonly known as the giant whipscorpion, is a peculiar arachnid that shares superficial similarities with scorpions but is stingless. Rather, it employs a long, thin structure at the front of its body that resembles a pedipalp to catch prey. The massive whipscorpion is 2 to 3 inches long, with a strong body and a dark brown or black coloring.
The southern parts of the United States, which include Texas, Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, and southern California, are home to giant whipscorpions. Mexico and certain regions of Central and South America are also home to them. These animals live in scrubland and arid regions, frequently hiding behind logs or rocks.
Giant whipscorpions are harmless to humans and other large animals, despite their frightening look. They consume a wide range of invertebrates, such as tiny reptiles, spiders, and insects. Known for having a keen sense of touch, giant whipscorpions use unique hairs on their pedipalps to pick up vibrations in their surroundings.
Tailless Whip Scorpion
Phrynus marginemaculatus, the tailless whip scorpion, is another interesting arachnid that is not a member of the same order as real scorpions. It is harmless to humans because it does not have a tail, stinger, or venom glands. The body of a tailless whip scorpion is flat and oval in shape, with a length of two to three inches. Typically, they have a brown or black hue.
Southern states in the United States, including Georgia, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana, are home to tailless whip scorpions. Additionally, some regions of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America are home to them. These animals live in a range of settings, such as leaf litter, caverns, and rainforests.
Though they may seem menacing, tailless whip scorpions are actually fairly gentle and almost never bite people. They prey mostly on insects, spiders, and tiny invertebrates, and are most active at night. The extended front legs of tailless whip scorpions are used to crush and seize their prey. Their capacity to regrow lost limbs is well recognized.
Lesser Stripetail Scorpion
The smaller species of scorpion known as Vaejovis spinigerus, or lesser stripetail scorpion, is distinguished by its striped coloring and slender body. The adult lesser stripetail scorpion has dark stripes running the length of its body and is yellowish-brown in color. Its adult size is around 1.5 to 2 inches. They have a little stinger, but there is no known medical significance to their venom.
The southwestern parts of the United States, which include states like Arizona, New Mexico, Georgia, and Texas, are home to the lesser stripetail scorpion. They live in several places of Mexico as well. These scorpions seek out dry environments, frequently hiding beneath logs, rocks, or leaves.
Being nocturnal animals, lesser stripetail scorpions emerge at night to forage for food. Their primary food sources are tiny arthropods like spiders and insects. These scorpions can explore their surroundings and sense vibrations in the ground thanks to sensory organs called pectines. They have the same ability to glow blue in the presence of ultraviolet light as other scorpions.
Pseudoscorpion
False scorpions, or pseudoscorpions, are tiny arachnids that resemble tiny scorpions but lack their stinger and lengthy tail. Their bodies are flattened and range in length from 2 to 8 millimeters. Their color is usually dark brown or reddish-brown. The two enormous pincers on the front of their bodies are what set them apart from other animals.
Worldwide, pseudoscorpions can be found in a variety of settings. They live in urban areas, meadows, and woodlands in the United States. They favor moist, gloomy areas such as leaf litter, cracks in the bark, and even within houses.
The peculiar characteristics of pseudoscorpions include their symbiotic ties with larger creatures and their ability to ride atop insects or birds. They regulate the numbers of microscopic creatures such as mites, booklice, and tiny insects. Despite having venom glands in their pincers, the venom is harmless to humans and is only used to immobilize victims. They also make silk, which is used to build shelters and catch prey.
