Scorpions in Colorado: Species, Stings & Lookalikes

Common striped bark scorpion

Centruroides vittatus

Not named as dangerous

Venom

“Only when necessary do they bend the stinger over their body and inject poison into the prey. Species found in Colorado are not dangerous to humans although the sting can be painful.” Colorado State University Extension. Colorado State University Extension says this of the whole group; it does not name this species as dangerous to people. Do not handle it.

Size

Usually about 2.5 inches. Sources range from 1 to 1.5 inches on average (Missouri Department of Conservation) to up to 3.5 inches (Oklahoma State).

How to recognize it

• Slender pincers and a long, slender tail. The tail is longer on males than females.
• Tail ends in a stinger, usually carried up and over the body.
• Glows under ultraviolet light.

Where in Colorado

The common striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) is widespread in southeastern Colorado, with 1-70 about its most northern range. Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology

Full Common striped bark scorpion guide

Northern desert hairy scorpion

Hadrurus spadix

Not named as dangerous

Venom

“Only when necessary do they bend the stinger over their body and inject poison into the prey. Species found in Colorado are not dangerous to humans although the sting can be painful.” Colorado State University Extension. Colorado State University Extension says this of the whole group; it does not name this species as dangerous to people. Do not handle it.

Where in Colorado

Also present on the West Slope, but in more limited areas such as around the Colorado National Monument, is the northern desert (black) hairy scorpion (Hadrurus spadix). Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology

Northern scorpion

Paruroctonus boreus

Not named as dangerous

Venom

“Only when necessary do they bend the stinger over their body and inject poison into the prey. Species found in Colorado are not dangerous to humans although the sting can be painful.” Colorado State University Extension. Colorado State University Extension says this of the whole group; it does not name this species as dangerous to people. Do not handle it.

Where in Colorado

The northern scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus) occurs throughout the counties along the Utah border Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology

Serradigitus wupatkiensis (no common name)

Serradigitus wupatkiensis

Not named as dangerous

Venom

“Only when necessary do they bend the stinger over their body and inject poison into the prey. Species found in Colorado are not dangerous to humans although the sting can be painful.” Colorado State University Extension. Colorado State University Extension says this of the whole group; it does not name this species as dangerous to people. Do not handle it.

Where in Colorado

Serradigitas wuptakiensis is known from areas of boulder strewn slopes in southwestern Colorado. Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology

Vaejovis russelli (no common name)

Vaejovis russelli

Not named as dangerous

Venom

“Only when necessary do they bend the stinger over their body and inject poison into the prey. Species found in Colorado are not dangerous to humans although the sting can be painful.” Colorado State University Extension. Colorado State University Extension says this of the whole group; it does not name this species as dangerous to people. Do not handle it.

Where in Colorado

Vaejovis russelli is a less common species within the state known from the Pueblo area Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology