Scorpions, ancient arachnids with an evolutionary history spanning over 400 million years, have successfully adapted to a remarkable array of environments across the globe. These creatures, recognized by their distinctive pincers and segmented tail ending in a venomous stinger, evoke both fascination and caution. Understanding their widespread presence and preferred dwelling sites offers insight into their survival strategies and helps explain where they might be encountered.
Scorpion Geography
Scorpions exhibit a broad global distribution, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. They are particularly diverse in subtropical regions, though their presence extends into more temperate zones. Their range stretches from southern Canada and central Europe down to the southern tips of South America, including Tierra del Fuego, and across Africa. While often associated with deserts, scorpions are found in various countries, with Mexico hosting high diversity.
They have also been accidentally introduced to new areas, such as parts of New Zealand and England. In the United States, they are commonly found in arid southwestern states like Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah, but have also been reported on the East Coast. Scorpions adapt to extreme elevations, with some species found at altitudes of up to 5,500 meters in the Andes and Himalayas.
Their Natural Environments
Scorpions thrive in diverse biomes beyond deserts, inhabiting grasslands, savannas, and various types of forests, including tropical and temperate rainforests. Some species specialize in mountainous regions, while others are found in caves, deep underground, and even intertidal coastal zones.
The suitability of an environment for scorpions depends on several characteristics. These include shelter from predators and harsh conditions, suitable temperatures, and sufficient prey. Scorpions generally prefer temperatures from 11 to 40 degrees Celsius, though some endure freezing conditions or extreme desert heat. Soil type and moisture levels also play a role; some species prefer sandy soils for burrowing, others favor clayey soils that retain moisture. Access to water sources, even small ones like leaky hoses, can attract them.
Common Hiding Places
Scorpions are primarily nocturnal, seeking refuge during daylight in microhabitats offering protection from heat, predators, and desiccation. Outdoors, they commonly hide under rocks, logs, and piles of wood or other debris. They also use natural cracks and crevices, or burrow into the soil, creating shelters up to a meter deep. Around human habitations, scorpions are found under outdoor furniture, in dense vegetation, and within block fences, which provide tight, shaded spaces.
When scorpions enter homes, they seek dark, quiet, and often damp places. Common indoor hiding spots include shoes, clothing, and towels left on the floor. They may also be found under sinks, in cabinets, and behind appliances in bathrooms and kitchens, drawn to moisture. Laundry rooms and closets, especially with cluttered or damp clothes, provide ideal conditions.
Scorpions can enter through small gaps like loose weather stripping, unsealed pipes, foundation cracks, or under doors and ground-level windows. They also use wall voids or hitchhike indoors via boxes, firewood, or potted plants.