- Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion
- (Hadrurus arizonensis)
- Common Name: Desert Hairy Scorpion
Category: Arachnids » Scorpions
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Iuridae
Genus: Hadrurus
Species: arizonensis
Desert Hairy Scorpions is a large species between 5 and 6 inches long. It possesses a black cephalothorax, with each segment being rimmed in pale yellow. Its under surface is pale, with erect brown hair covering much of its body. The Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion ranges throughout all of the southwestern deserts of the U.S. and is the largest of the 9 species in the United States.
Scorpions have six pairs of jointed appendages. The first pair, near the head, are pincers. The second pair are large claws. The other four pairs are legs. Scorpions are mostly active at night and are fluorescent if exposed to ultraviolet light. They eat large insects such as crickets, spiders, centipedes, and other scorpions.
Though Desert Hairy Scorpions are aggressive and active, they are not considered dangerous to humans, unless you are allergic to their venom. They are quite aggressive and will sting without a second thought if they feel threatened.
Desert Hairy Scorpions are a slow growing species. Their colors are pale yellow and brown or olive green, the pale yellow variety is the most common. They further distinguished by the little brown hairs that stand up on their tails and sharp pinchers. Arizona Hairy Scorpions typically appear red along the anterior appendages.
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There
are 36 species of scorpions in Arizona
