Desert Hairy Scorpion

Description

Hadrurus Arizonensis, more commonly known as the Desert Hairy Scorpion, is a species of scorpion native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It’s one of the largest scorpions in North America, capable of reaching lengths of up to six inches. Its common name, Desert Hairy Scorpion, comes from the dark, coarse hairs that cover its yellowish-tan body. These hairs help the scorpion to detect vibrations in the ground, a crucial sense for locating prey and evading predators in its arid habitat. The Desert Hairy Scorpion is a burrower and can dig burrows up to 2.5 meters deep to escape the extreme heat of its desert habitat. These burrows serve as hiding spots during the daytime and also help to trap moisture, providing a microhabitat that is cooler and more humid than the surrounding desert. Like most scorpions, the Desert Hairy Scorpion is a carnivore, feeding primarily on insects, spiders, and small vertebrates. It uses its large pincers to capture and crush its prey, while the venomous sting at the end of its tail is used for both hunting and defence. Despite its fearsome appearance, the Desert Hairy Scorpion poses little danger to humans. Its venom is not particularly potent to humans and a sting, while painful, is often compared to that of a bee or wasp.