5 Deadly Types of Scorpions in Utah

Here are the common scorpion species in Utah.

The number of known scorpion species in the world is a little less than 2,000. Out of these many species, only a handful of them is known to be highly venomous.

The different spider species are spread across different geographical locations.

For the sake of our discussion, we’ll be discussing those found in Utah.

Here are some species common to Texas.

The state of Utah provides an ideal habitat for scorpions. Although these arachnids can be found in almost all types of habitats, they have a preference for semi-arid and desert regions.

Both conditions (semi-arid and desert climates) exist in the state of Utah.

The Scorpion Species of Utah

When it comes to scorpion types within the state of Utah, there are several.

These include the Arizona bark scorpion, the giant hairy scorpion, hadurus, and the Baja California bark scorpion. Others are the Northern

Scorpions are also known as the paruroctuonus boreus and the black hairy scorpion.

Out of these scorpion types, the Arizona bark scorpion is known to be the most venomous. As such, you’ll want to be extra careful when faced with a scorpion problem.

Also, you need to know how to identify them to help with better extermination of scorpion problem.

Let’s proceed to consider each of them.

• Arizona Bark Scorpion

As mentioned earlier, the Arizona bark scorpion is the most deadly of all the types listed. They’re deadly in the sense that their venoms have the potential of causing death in humans.

Like most scorpions, the Arizona bark species is a nocturnal creature that hunts for prey mainly at night.

Its favorite prey includes spiders, crickets, and roaches among others. You may wonder how it catches its prey. Like most scorpion species, the stinger is used to disable the prey before feeding on it.

One of the things you should know about Arizona barks is that they have poor vision.

This tends to affect their efficiency of hunting. Nevertheless, they easily adapt to their environments. When these spider species get into homes, they move along baseboards to hunt for prey.

So, how do humans end up getting stung by them? Arizona barks don’t set out to sting humans.

Instead, you may accidentally get stung when you step on them or get too close. Scorpions mostly sting when they feel threatened. You’ll hardly find them moving around during the day.

This is because they’re holed up in their hiding spots.

Such hiding spots include nooks and crevices, beneath large rocks, tree barks, etc. Their hiding places always tend to be isolated and well hidden and must be cool enough.

When disturbed, they protect themselves by stinging. Of course, such stings include the injection of deadly venom.

• Black Hairy Scorpion

The black hairy scorpion also goes by the name hadrurus spadix. It’s not only restricted to the state of Utah but can be found in areas like Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, and California.

During the day, black hairy scorpions stay out of sight by hiding in burrows dug by them. Such burrows will measure as much as 8 inches.

So, what do black hairy scorpions feed on? They’ll readily prey on small snakes, lizards, insects, and even smaller scorpions. Black hairy scorpions are also known to be venomous.

However, their venomous nature isn’t anywhere close to that of the Arizona bark scorpion.

Despite being less venomous than the Arizona bark, it still isn’t something you should want to experience. This is because it’s still painful and can be compared with the sting of a honeybee.

Black hairy scorpions can live for an average of 6 years.

You’ll easily identify them from physical features such as their glowing light blue color when exposed to ultraviolet light. This only shows at night or in a dark room.

• Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion

Giant desert hairy scorpions are found not only in Utah but also in Nevada. These scorpion types prefer habitats such as wooded areas, abandoned burrows, grasslands as well as crevices, and small caves.

They’re mainly attracted to food which makes them drawn to areas with lots of invertebrate preys such as beetles.

True to its name, the giant desert hairy scorpion is the largest scorpion species in North America. This makes them easily distinguishable. To give you an idea of its size, an adult giant hairy scorpion measures between 4 and 7 inches in length.

There are also hairs along its tail. In terms of appearance, the giant desert hairy scorpion has an olive-green to tan color. During their inactive period (daytime), these scorpions will be seen hiding in burrows, or beneath rocks.

Although giant desert hairy scorpion venom is quite weak, it still does the job of immobilizing prey through stings.

• Northern Scorpion

This is another scorpion type of species you’d find in Utah. Unlike other scorpion types, the northern scorpion will hardly sting humans. However, this isn’t to say it won’t when threatened.

It preys on small prey such as insects and other invertebrates.

To immobilize prey, northern scorpions inject them with venom. All the while, northern scorpions grasp or hold their prey stable using their pedipalps while injecting them.

You’ll find Northern scorpions not only in Utah but also spread across other regions like California, Colorado, and Idaho.

Other states you’ll find northern scorpions include Arizona, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.

• Baja California Scorpion

While being a close relative of the Arizona bark scorpion, the Baja California scorpion isn’t considered as dangerous. Its venom is quite mild and only strong enough to disable prey when injected through the stinger.

Baja California scorpions appear yellowish and hide in loosened bark, tree crevices, and under leaves.

Baja California scorpions are fast movers. This gives them an advantage of prey as they’re able to close in on them within a short period of time.

Geographical Spread

With the above-listed examples of scorpions in Utah, you’re likely to find some of these in other regions as mentioned above.

The state of Utah provides the perfect climatic conditions for these scorpion species to thrive.

Now you’re clear. These are types of scorpions found in the state of Utah. Besides living in the wild, these scorpion species can also be found in homes.

You’ll need to take immediate steps to have them removed.