Scorpions, ancient arachnids with a distinctive segmented tail and venomous stinger, are found across various regions of the United States. While often associated with arid desert landscapes, their presence extends beyond these areas, encompassing diverse environments. These nocturnal predators have adapted to thrive in many different habitats, making them more widespread than many realize. Their ability to survive in diverse conditions highlights their resilience within the country’s ecosystems.
Broad Geographic Range
Scorpions are most prevalent in the southern and western United States, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. States like Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas have large scorpion populations. This concentration is due to climate conditions that favor their survival. However, scorpions are not confined to these southwestern states.
Their distribution extends further, with established populations in states like Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah. They have also been reported in some East Coast areas and states like Florida, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, covering nearly a third of US states. While their numbers are highest in desert regions, their presence is widespread.
Key Habitats and Environments
Scorpions prefer environmental conditions that provide shelter and access to prey. Most species thrive in warm, dry climates, explaining their abundance in desert and semi-desert regions. They frequently seek refuge under objects like rocks, logs, and tree bark during the day to escape extreme temperatures and conserve moisture.
Their habitats also include crevices in concrete or rock formations. Some species burrow deep into the soil to find suitable moisture and temperature levels. Scorpions inhabit diverse microhabitats such as rocky terrain, sandy areas, and urban environments, finding shelter in foundations, wall voids, and cluttered spaces. Hiding spots and a consistent food supply are important for their survival.
Notable Species and Their Specific Locations
The United States is home to approximately 90 scorpion species, with several being common. The Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is primarily found in southern Arizona, southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern New Mexico, and extreme southwestern Utah. This species prefers riparian areas with mesquite, cottonwood, and sycamore groves, offering moisture and humidity. They climb walls and trees, and can be found indoors in dark, cool places like attics or cabinets.
The striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) is another common species with a broad range across the midsection of the United States. Its distribution extends northward through Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, reaching Nebraska, and eastward to the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in Missouri and Louisiana. This species can be found in deserts, forests, and grasslands, often hiding under rocks, debris, or within old structures.
The giant desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) is the largest scorpion in North America, inhabiting the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. Its range includes western Arizona, southern California, southern Nevada, and extreme southwestern Utah. These scorpions are burrowing animals, often found in washes or low-elevation valleys, and emerge at night to hunt. They are also encountered under rocks and in caves.