Giant Hairy Scorpion in the Sonoran Desert

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Giant Hairy Scorpion

Hadrurus arizonensis

Photo contributed by Marc Borom. Tucson, Arizona.

Vejovidae -- A Scorpion Family

These large intimidating scorpions can be found under debris or rocks usually not too far from a desert wash or canyon. They can sting of course, but the sting is not dangerous, just painfull. They are predators that emerge mostly at night to prey on crickets, spiders and termites and other arthropods.

More Information:

Bugguide.net Univ. of Iowa
Wikipedia
Google Images
Google Scholar Literature Search
Book Reference: Venomous Animals of Arizona by Robert Smith (who was one of my profs at U.A.) available at Abe Books.

Giant Hairy Scorpion, Hadrurus arizonensis, photo © by Michael Plagens

Found beneath a decomposing saguaro cactus in the Vekol Valley, Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona. Insects like termites and spiders are important prey in this habitat.

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