Buthidae Scorpions

Description

Family Buthidae is the largest scorpion family, but has no common name. These scorpions are found all over the world except Antarctica and New Zealand, in more than 1300 genera. Of the 20 scorpions known to be deadly, all but 1 are members of this family.

Species

Centruroides vittatus

"Striped Bark Scorpion"

Description

The striped bark scorpion is pale tan all over with two broad, dark lines running parallel down the dorsal side of the carapace. It also has a dark triangle around the eyes. They also have narrow pedipalps (used as pincers) and stinger. Adults of this species are less than 3 inches in length.

Notes

This scorpion is extremely common and is found in a variety of biomes, from deserts to forests. C. vittatus has a painful and dangerous sting. Like all true scorpions, the striped bark scorpion glows bright cyan under ultraviolet (UV) light. Reasons for this effect are yet unknown.

Images of Striped Bark Scorpion

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A striped bark scorpion climbing into the grass after rapidly crossing a paved biking path.
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Another image of this C. vittatus entering the grass. Its movement became more erratic when entering the chaotic three-dimensional environment of the grass leaves.
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A glowing C. vittatus seen at night under an ultraviolet flashlight navigating low-cut grass.
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A second shot of the striped bark scorpion glowing under UV light while navigating grass. Here its eyes can be seen as a dark, non-glowing spot on its head.