Striped bark scorpion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped bark scorpion |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Subphylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
Buthidae
|
| Genus: |
Centruroides
|
| Species: |
C. vittatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Centruroides vittatus (Say, 1821)
|
|
The striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) is a very common scorpion found across the middle parts of the United States and northern Mexico. It is one of the scorpions you are most likely to see in the U.S.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
This scorpion is a medium size, usually not much longer than 70 mm (about 2 3/4 inches). It has a pale-yellow body. You can often spot it by the two dark stripes running along its back. It also has a dark triangle shape above its eyes.
Sometimes, you might find lighter-colored scorpions without these stripes. Their pale color helps them blend in with their surroundings. This natural camouflage keeps them safe from animals that might want to eat them. It also helps them hide from the insects they like to hunt.
Where Do They Live?
The striped bark scorpion naturally lives in several states in the South-Central U.S. and northern Mexico. You can find them from northern Mexico through Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, all the way up to Nebraska. They also live from New Mexico and southern Colorado to the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in Missouri and Louisiana.
This means they are found in states like Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.
Sometimes, these scorpions are found in cities far from their natural home. This usually happens because people accidentally carry them to new places. They have been seen in parts of Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. They have also been reported in Arizona and California.
These scorpions can live in many different places. They are found in deserts, deciduous and coniferous forests, and grasslands. During the day, they hide in cracks under rocks, under leaves, in plants, or inside old sheds and barns. At night, they come out to look for food.
How Do They Behave?
Even though these scorpions are known to climb, the striped bark scorpion spends a lot of time on the ground. During the day, they hide under rocks, leaves, or in old buildings. When the sun sets, they come out of their hiding spots to hunt for food.
Young scorpions, called juveniles, spend more time in plants. This helps them stay safe from animals that might try to eat them. Striped bark scorpions eat many different things. Their diet includes insects, smaller spiders, and even younger scorpions of their own kind. Birds, reptiles, some mammals, and larger spiders hunt these scorpions.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Unlike most scorpions, the striped bark scorpion is quite social. This means they often live near each other. Being social gives them more chances to find a mate. The process of finding a mate and having babies is quite interesting.
First, male scorpions might have a small "showdown" to decide who gets to mate. They wave their tails and move around until one male gives up. The winning male then starts a special dance with the female. This dance helps him guide the female to a spot where he can leave a small packet of sperm. The female then decides if she will accept it. Larger males are often better at this dance.
If the female accepts the sperm packet, they move closer and touch their mouthparts in a "kiss" stage. After this, the female carries her babies for about 8 months. She gives birth to live young, which is special for scorpions. The baby scorpions then climb onto their mother's back. They stay there for at least one molt (when they shed their skin) before they go off on their own.
What Happens if You Get Stung?
Thousands of people get stung by striped bark scorpions every year. This often happens when people are barefoot or accidentally touch a scorpion inside their homes. A sting from a striped bark scorpion is usually very painful, but it is rarely deadly.
After a sting, you might notice swelling in the area. The scorpion's venom has special chemicals that can make your skin feel tingly or cause your muscles to twitch. In some cases, people might have a stronger reaction. This can include feeling sick to your stomach, dizzy, or having trouble breathing. In very rare cases, it can cause a serious allergic reaction.
If you get stung, putting an ice pack on the area can help with the swelling and pain. While a striped bark scorpion sting is not usually dangerous, some other types of scorpions in the same group can have very dangerous stings. If you are stung by any scorpion and feel very unwell, it's always best to get medical help right away.
See also
In Spanish: Escorpión rayado de corteza para niños
