Anuroctonus pococki bajae

Look for the swollen bulb on the telson, absent in most other scorpion species. Combine with geographic location in Baja California. Similar scorpions in the region lack this distinctive telson swelling.

Terrestrial; specific microhabitat preferences not documented for this subspecies. Related species and genus members occur in rocky, ground-dwelling environments.

Baja California, Mexico. Distribution records indicate presence in North America.

Carnivorous; preys on ground-dwelling insects and other small arthropods. One individual has been observed feeding on crickets and roaches.

Scorpions generally: females produce 20-30 live young carried on the mother's back for 5-15 days. Adults live 2-3 years and do not reproduce until nearly one year old. Specific details for A. p. bajae not documented.

Defensive and aggressive when disturbed; one captive individual stung prey immediately upon presentation and attacked water when poured into enclosure. Nocturnal predator.

Nocturnal predator of ground-dwelling insects and small arthropods.

Poses minimal threat to humans; venom not considered medically significant relative to other arthropod stings. Occasionally kept in captivity for research and educational display.

• Other Anuroctonus speciesShare genus-level traits but lack the distinctive swollen telson bulb of A. pococki.
• Other Chactidae scorpionsOccupy similar habitats but do not exhibit the pronounced telson swelling diagnostic of this subspecies.

• scorpion
• fluorescence
• Baja California
• endemic
• defensive behavior
• nocturnal predator

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Meet Awesome Annie, the Scorpion, at UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day | Bug Squad