Ironic Scorpion Story (environment, work, hospital)

[topjimmy]

When I got home from work today, I changed my clothes, went downstairs, sat on the bottom step, and put my shoes on. Little did I know, there was a surprise waiting for me.

This little critter was in my right shoe, and it stung me on my big toe.



I think it hitched a ride home with us from Bartlett Lake this weekend. I almost never see scorpions in my house.

It really, really hurt. That was at 7:00, and my toe is still throbbing at 11:53.

I have lived in Arizona since 1987. This is only the second scorpion I have ever seen inside one of my houses. Sorry if I am further frightening you scorpion phobics, but I thought it was interesting that I have been reading these scorpion threads for a couple weeks, then I happen to get stung.

You guys jinxed me. Thanks a lot.

[ejk]

I better stop reading!

[Steve-o]

Glad to hear youre ok, some people get more than just localized pain.

Looks like a female Centruroides exilicauda/sculpturatus to me.

[simplyaged]

I thought these guys were highly poisonous? Did you have to go to the Hospital? Glad you are okay and I hope you don't suffer any repercussions from it.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by simplyaged

I thought these guys were highly poisonous? Did you have to go to the Hospital? Glad you are okay and I hope you don't suffer any repercussions from it.

They are highly venomous (not poisonous). To a healthy adult, you should just experience intense pain, that can last for days. To a child or a elder, or to those with weakened immune systems, it could easily mean death. That scorpion species I mentioned is the ONLY one in AZ that has the potential to do great harm, the rest possess mild venom, but you should still consult the AZ poison control center for advice, just in case.

[simplyaged]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

They are highly venomous (not poisonous).

Oops.... .... bad choice of words! Thanks for the info. though. Should I ever get to go west, I may need to know that (although I hope not! ). And I do hope and plan to see all of the US before I die.

[nitram]

The real dangerous Scorpion is the near transparent small 2" or so Bark Scorpion, which will require first aid immediately, if bitten. The larger dark scorpions are more of a scary nuisance than anything. Like spiders, some people get scared easily when they see these critters.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by nitram

The real dangerous Scorpion is the near transparent small 2" or so Bark Scorpion, which will require first aid immediately, if bitten. The larger dark scorpions are more of a scary nuisance than anything. Like spiders, some people get scared easily when they see these critters.

The scorpion in the picture is a "bark" scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda or C. sculpturatus). Read my post for more info. Also, they dont bite, they sting. Scorpions dont have mouths per se, but instead they have little claw-like chelicerae that pull off pieces of the animal and draw it into their "mouths". And most scorpions in AZ are very pasty looking, to blend into their xeric environments. The largest scorpion in AZ (and North America for that matter) is the Hadrurus arizonensis, theyre also pasty/yellow/transparent looking.

[topjimmy]

No, I did not go to the hospital. It still hurts today, though not as much. My whole toe is completely numb, with some of that numbness extending into my foot. It feels like it is "asleep" (pins and needles, like I sat on my foot too long and cut off the circulation).

Steve, how can you tell the sex? The picture is pretty blurry, I should have taken another.

I am amazed how forgiving the little girl was. I had my foot in my shoe a full minute. I thought there was a rock or some dirt in there, so I wiggled my toes and tried to shift the "rock" around. Then it started to feel like it was moving. I should have taken off the shoe at that point and shook it out, but I am too dumb apparently. I started probing the front of the shoe with my toe, and when I pushed down hard, I got zapped. Since I never have scorpions, I said to myself, "Naw, there's no scropion in my shoe". WRONG!

I don't dislike scorpions at all, I actually think they are cool. My only disappointment is that in all my years of living in AZ, I have only seen 1 Hadrurus arizonensis in the wild. It was a big sucker too.

[simplyaged]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

The scorpion in the picture is a "bark" scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda or C. sculpturatus). Read my post for more info. Also, they dont bite, they sting. Scorpions dont have mouths per se, but instead they have little claw-like chelicerae that pull off pieces of the animal and draw it into their "mouths". And most scorpions in AZ are very pasty looking, to blend into their xeric environments. The largest scorpion in AZ (and North America for that matter) is the Hadrurus arizonensis, theyre also pasty/yellow/transparent looking.

I would love to know what you do for a living. You are so full of information on this issue and it truly amazes me because you do not live in the same state. I find knowledge to be an impressive tool and like most, you can never have enough tools!