# Striped Bark Scorpion

*Centruroides vittatus*

This species glows an eerie, vibrant neon blue-green under ultraviolet (UV) light due to fluorescent chemicals in its cuticle.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Arachnida › Scorpiones › Buthidae › Centruroides
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** desert
- **Habitat:** Under loose tree bark, rock crevices, surface debris, and occasionally inside dark areas of human homes.
- **Diet:** Insects, spiders, centipedes, and other small invertebrates.
- **Range:** United States, Mexico
- **Size:** 5 to 7 cm (2 to 2.75 inches) in length
- **Lifespan:** 3 to 5 years
- **Active:** nocturnal
- **Threats:** Widespread pesticide application and habitat loss due to urban sprawl.
- **Safe to approach?:** Defensive. Possesses a painful but rarely life-threatening venomous sting. Maintain a safe distance and do not handle. Always shake out shoes, sleeping bags, and clothing when camping in their range. If stung, wash the area with soap and water, apply a cool compress, and monitor for allergic reactions. Seek immediate medical attention if severe symptoms like muscle spasms or difficulty breathing develop.

## About

The striped bark scorpion ( Centruroides vittatus ) is an extremely common scorpion found throughout the midsection of the United States and northern Mexico. It is perhaps the most frequently encountered scorpion in the U.S.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/388409e7-a703-4062-af49-e62e2a8e56ee
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/119056
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centruroides vittatus
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/130842518/medium.jpg (Judy Gallagher, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.