Desert Hairy Scorpion
The desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) is the largest scorpion in North America, up to about 14 centimeters, and lives in the deserts of the southwestern United States. Its body is covered with fine hairs.
The desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) is the largest scorpion in North America, up to about 14 centimeters, and lives in the deserts of the southwestern United States. Its body is covered with fine hairs.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Desert Hairy Scorpion in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Ecdysozoa lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
Hairs That Sense Vibrations
The hairs on the body and tail detect air movements and vibrations. The scorpion hunts at night, ambushing insects and small lizards. It emerges from burrows under rocks.
Glowing Under UV
Like all scorpions, it fluoresces under ultraviolet light. Collectors use black lights to find scorpions at night.
A Mild Sting
The sting hurts but is not dangerous to most people. Scorpions are among the oldest terrestrial arthropods. See Deathstalker.
Desert Hairy Scorpion at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hadrurus arizonensis |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Scorpiones |
| Family | Hadruridae |
| Field Guide group | Ecdysozoa: Arachnida (Spiders, Scorpions & Allies) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | North America's largest of its kind at up to 14 cm, yellow with a dark back and brown hairs on its tail; burrows in sand dunes. |
| Order | Scorpiones |
| Length | Up to about 14 centimeters |
See Also
- Deathstalker — a very venomous scorpion
- Thorny Devil — another desert animal