Brown Bark scorpion

The Brown Bark Scorpion is a small but sneaky arachnid that knows how to keep a low profile! It’s usually tan or light brown with a slender body, long pincers, and a narrow, curved tail tipped with a venomous stinger. Despite its intimidating appearance, this scorpion only grows to about 2.5 to 3 inches long. It’s nocturnal and shy, often hiding in tight crevices, under bark (hence the name!), or beneath rocks during the day. At night, it comes out to hunt—and it even glows under UV light, which makes it a favorite for late-night critter spotting!

These scorpions are native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, especially in Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of California and Texas. They thrive in desert and semi-desert regions, where temperatures are high and hiding spots are everywhere. Brown Bark Scorpions are excellent climbers, often found on trees, walls, and even inside homes where it’s cool and dark. They’re most active during warm summer nights and tend to stay hidden in the cooler months.

Brown Bark Scorpions are carnivores and ambush predators, feeding on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They use their pincers to grab prey and their venomous stinger to quickly subdue it. While their sting can be painful (and is considered medically significant in some cases), it’s rarely dangerous to healthy adults. These scorpions help control pest populations in their native habitats, making them important members of the desert ecosystem. In a zoo setting, visitors love learning about their glowing trick and watching them stalk their food like tiny desert ninjas!

Brown Bark scorpion

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