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Scorpions in Montana: Species, Stings & Lookalikes

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Which scorpions can hurt you
  2. The one scorpion
  3. If you are bitten or stung
  4. What official sources say
  5. About this list
  6. Sources

Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide: This species is the only scorpion found in Montana.

This page lists 1 scorpion: all from Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide's Montana Field Guide: Arachnida, order Scorpiones. 1 is venomous by official accounts.

Not every species: no complete official list of Montana scorpions exists, so this page covers the ones state and Extension sources name. How lists are built.

Which scorpions can hurt you

Official sources single out these scorpions in Montana, in their own words:

The one scorpion on the list

Venomous species first, then A to Z. Do not handle them.

No confirmed photo of Northern Scorpion

Northern Scorpion

Paruroctonus boreus

Venomous per Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide

Danger to people
“The Northern Scorpion is rarely known to sting people.” Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide
Where in Montana
Best places to find this species in Montana are in the southeast along sandstone cliff areas, such as the Rims around Billings or cliffs in the Bighorn Canyon. Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide
Conservation
State Rank SNR
What the sources say

Venom: “The Northern Scorpion is rarely known to sting people. Scorpions hunt and feed on insects and other small prey that they can get their claws around. The sting injects a dose of paralyzing venom similar to that of spiders.” (Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide)

If you are bitten or stung

Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.

What official sources say

Are there scorpions in Montana?

Yes. The Northern Scorpion, best found in the southeast along sandstone cliff areas. Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide

“Best places to find this species in Montana are in the southeast along sandstone cliff areas, such as the Rims around Billings or cliffs in the Bighorn Canyon.”

About this list

The species list comes from Montana Field Guide: Arachnida, order Scorpiones (Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide, Internet Archive captures 2021-12-03 to 2026-06-16, one per family page (each listed below)).

Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.

Sources

  1. Contact Us. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. archived copy, captured October 19, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
  2. Montana Field Guide: Spiders class Arachnida (family species lists). Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide. archived copy, captured December 3, 2021; checked November 3, 2026.
  3. Northern Scorpion - Paruroctonus boreus. Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide. archived copy, captured October 16, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (5)
    “This species is the only scorpion found in Montana.”
    “The Northern Scorpion is rarely known to sting people. Scorpions hunt and feed on insects and other small prey that they can get their claws around. The sting injects a dose of paralyzing venom similar to that of spiders.”
    “The Northern Scorpion is rarely known to sting people.”
    “The species is nocturnal, but may enter warm sheltered places in the cold days of fall to hibernate.”
    “Best places to find this species in Montana are in the southeast along sandstone cliff areas, such as the Rims around Billings or cliffs in the Bighorn Canyon.”