Scorpions, arachnids with distinctive segmented tails and venomous stingers, have adapted to various environments globally. Related to spiders, ticks, and mites, they have a long evolutionary history. Understanding their presence in the United States involves exploring their preferred habitats and the specific states where they thrive.
States Where Scorpions Reside
Scorpions are found in numerous U.S. states, though their density and diversity vary significantly. The southwestern United States hosts the most abundant and diverse populations, largely due to its arid and semi-arid climates. States with high concentrations include Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. Within Arizona, cities like Phoenix and Tucson report some of the highest incidences of scorpion encounters. Beyond the Southwest, scorpions are also present in states such as Utah, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Rare sightings have even been confirmed in more northern states like Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Habitat Preferences
Scorpions prefer warm climates, thriving in regions with temperatures from 68°F to 100°F. Their prevalence in arid and semi-arid regions stems from favored environmental conditions like rocky terrain, sandy soils, and access to shelter. Scorpions often hide under rocks, logs, tree bark, or in burrows during the day to escape extreme temperatures and conserve moisture.
Their exoskeletons have a waxy layer that reduces water loss, allowing them to endure extended periods without direct water sources. They obtain most water from prey. Scorpions are primarily nocturnal, emerging at night when temperatures are cooler to hunt.
Encountering Scorpions in Their Native States
In states where scorpions are common, encounters can occur both outdoors and inside homes. Scorpions seek shelter in dark, undisturbed places like under outdoor debris, rocks, woodpiles, or cluttered yard areas. Indoors, they may be found in basements, attics, crawl spaces, or moist areas like bathrooms and kitchens, especially when seeking refuge or prey. They can enter structures through small cracks and gaps around foundations, doors, and windows, often needing only an opening as small as 1/8 inch.
To minimize encounters, residents in scorpion-prone areas can take simple precautions:
Seal cracks in foundations and around windows and doors.
Remove outdoor debris.
Store firewood away from the house.
Check shoes, clothing, and bedding before use.
While most scorpion stings in the U.S. are painful but not life-threatening, causing localized pain, numbness, or tingling, the Arizona bark scorpion ( _Centruroides sculpturatus_ ) is an exception. Its venom can cause more severe symptoms, including muscle twitching, difficulty breathing, and excessive salivation, particularly in young children or older adults. Medical attention should be sought for severe reactions or if an Arizona bark scorpion sting is suspected.