View source for Arizona bark scorpion

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{{Taxobox
| image = Bbasgen-bark-scorpion.jpg
| name = Arizona bark scorpion
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| subphylum = [[Chelicerata]]
| classis = [[Arachnid]]a
| ordo = [[Scorpion]]es
| familia = [[Buthidae]]
| genus = ''[[Centruroides]]''
| species = '''''C. sculpturatus'''''
| binomial = ''Centruroides sculpturatus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Horatio C Wood, Jr.|Wood]], 1863)
}}
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==Overview==
The 'Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus, included in Centruroides exilicauda, the Baja California bark scorpion)  is a small light brown scorpion common to the  United States. The range of the scorpion is the Sonoran Desert. An adult male can reach 8 centimeters  in  his body length, while  a pregnant  female is slightly smaller, with a maximum length of 7 centimeters.

== Diet ==
The Arizona bark scorpion is nocturnal, prefers to ambush its prey, and usually feeds on crickets or cockroaches.

== Predators ==
Arizona bark scorpions are eaten by a wide variety of animals such as birds, reptiles, and other invertebrates. Some examples include spiders, snakes, peccaries, rodents, and other scorpions. In urban areas  house cats may also consume Arizona  bark scorpions. Development, pesticides and collecting scorpions for research or the pet trade also has an impact on the Arizona  bark scorpion population.

== Life cycle ==
[[File:Basgen-scorpion-compared.JPG|thumb|right|Three adult and four juvenile Arizona bark scorpions]]
Arizona bark scorpions have a gestation period of several months, are born live, and are gently guided onto their mother's back. The female usually gives birth to between 25–35 young, and the young will remain with their mother until their first molt, up to 3 weeks after birth. Arizona bark scorpions may live up to 6 years.

While nearly all scorpions are solitary, the Arizona bark scorpion is a rare exception: during winter, packs of 20 to 30 scorpions can congregate.<ref name=UA>{{cite web | url = http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1223/ | title = Scorpions | work = Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences | publisher = [[University of Arizona]] | accessdate = June 20, 2008 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100721230743/http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1223/ |archivedate=July 21, 2010}}</ref>

== Habitat ==
The Arizona bark scorpion is particularly well adapted to the desert: layers of fat on its exoskeleton make it resistant to water loss. Nevertheless, Arizona bark scorpions hide during the heat of the day, typically under rocks, wood piles, or tree bark. Bark scorpions do not burrow, and are commonly found in homes, requiring only 1/16 of an inch for entry.   

Arizona bark scorpions prefer riparian areas with mesquite, Populus sections, cottonwood, and sycamor  groves, all of which have sufficient moisture and humidity to support insects and other prey species. The popularity of irrigated lawns, and other systems which increase environmental humidity in residential areas, has led to a massive increase in the number of these animals in some areas.

== Venom ==
[[Image:Bbasgen-scorpion-front.jpg|thumb|right|Frontal view of a bark scorpion in a defensive posture]]
The bark scorpion is the most [[venom (poison)|venomous]] scorpion in North America, and its venom can cause severe pain (coupled with numbness and tingling) in adult humans, typically lasting between 24 to 72 hours. Temporary dysfunction in the area stung is common; e.g. a hand or possibly arm can be immobilized or experience convulsions. It also may cause the loss of breath for a short period of time. Due to the extreme pain induced, many victims describe sensations of electrical jolts after [[envenomation]].

Fatalities from scorpion envenomation in the USA are rare and are limited to small animals (including small pets), small children, and adults with compromised immune systems. Extreme reaction to the venom is indicated by numbness, frothing at the mouth, paralysis, and a neuromotor syndrome that may be confused with a seizure and that may make breathing difficult, particularly for small children. Two recorded fatalities have occurred in the state of [[Arizona]] since 1968; the number of victims stung each year in Arizona is estimated to be in the thousands. In Mexico, more than 100,000 people are stung annually, and during a peak period in the 1980s, the bark scorpion claimed up to 800 lives there.<ref name=UA />

=== Antivenom ===
An [[antivenom]] was developed for this species at Arizona State University<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/snakebites-about-to-get-more-deadly |title=Why snakebites are about to get a lot more deadly |author=Glenn Derene |publisher=[[Popular Mechanics]] |date=May 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 23, 2011}}</ref> and produced in quantities sufficient to treat individuals within the state of [[Arizona]] up until 1999.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2011/08/04/20110804scorpion-antivenin-gets-fda-ok.html |title=Scorpion antivenin gets FDA's OK |author=Ken Alltucker |date=August 4, 2011 |publisher=[[The Arizona Republic]] |accessdate=September 23, 2011}}</ref> FDA approval was not required as it was provided at no charge, and use was restricted to within the state of Arizona; it was very successful in shortening the duration of symptoms and hospitalization.  Production of this antivenom ceased by 2000 and the product was unavailable by 2004.  A Mexican-produced antivenom, Anascorp [Antivenin Centruroides (scorpion) F(ab′)<sub><sup>2</sup></sub>, Laboratorios Silanes, Instituto Bioclon SA de CV], is being tested and used in its place.<ref name=UA-medical>{{cite web | year = 2000 | url = http://www.opa.medicine.arizona.edu/horizons/2000/fall/pg21.htm | title = Soothing the Scorpion's Sting | author = David Von Behren, MPH | publisher = [[University of Arizona]] | accessdate = June 20, 2008 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090603092350/http://www.opa.medicine.arizona.edu/horizons/2000/fall/pg21.htm |archivedate=June 3, 2009}}</ref> On August 3, 2011, the FDA approved Anascorp for use in the United States.<ref name=FDA>{{cite web |url=http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm266611.htm |title=FDA approves the first specific treatment for scorpion stings |date=August 3, 2011 |publisher=FDA}}</ref>

=== First aid ===
Basic first aid measures can be used to help remediate scorpion stings:<ref name=UA-medical />
* Clean sting site with soap and water
* Apply a cool compress (cool cloth, no ice)
* Take [[paracetamol|acetaminophen]] (paracetamol) or [[ibuprofen]] for local pain and swelling

=== Medical emergencies ===
[[Image:Arizona bark scorption glowing under ultraviolet light.jpg|thumb|An Arizona bark scorpion glowing under [[ultraviolet light]]]]

Since the amount of venom the scorpion injects on a sting varies, Arizona poison control centers suggest immediate medical attention only in the event of extreme pain or stings involving children.<ref name=UA-poison>{{cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/outreach/poison/scorpions.php | title = Poison and Drug Information Center  | publisher = [[University of Arizona]] | accessdate = June 20, 2008 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100820192450/http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/outreach/poison/scorpions.php |archivedate=August 20, 2010}}</ref>

== UV lighting ==
Bark scorpions, like most other scorpions, will glow when exposed to a [[blacklight]]. This is particularly useful in scorpion detection, since bark scorpions are active during the night, and can be easily spotted using this method. Typical UV [[LED]] flashlights are able to readily detect scorpions at a distance of approximately 6 feet. Newly molted scorpions will not glow under [[ultraviolet light]] for a few days after molting.
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== References ==
{{Reflist|32em}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Centruroides sculpturatus|''Centruroides sculpturatus''}}
{{Portal|Arthropods}}
*[http://www.ntnu.no/ub/scorpion-files/c_exilicauda.php Further information on the scorpion]
*{{cite web |url=http://www.scorpsweep.com/facts.html |title=Scorpion Sweepers |last=Holland |first=Ben |year=2008}}

[[Category:Buthidae]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Southwestern United States|Scorpion, Arizona bark]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1863]]

[[cs:Štír zlatý]]
[[de:Arizona-Rindenskorpion]]
[[fr:Centruroides sculpturatus]]
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