Paravaejovis

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Vaejovidae
Genus: Paravaejovis

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Paravaejovis: /ˌpærəˈviːdʒoʊvɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Paravaejovis confusus by Ethan Wright. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Paravaejovis spinigerus by Andrew Meeds. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Paravaejovis spinigerus 002 by Acrocynus. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Paravaejovis waeringi by Kevin Keegan. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Paravaejovis spinigerus, or the stripe-tailed scorpion, is a medium-sized scorpion native to the Sonoran Desert, notable for its distinctive tail stripes and relatively harmless venom.

Physical Characteristics

Medium-sized scorpion with large adult males and females reaching nearly 60–70 mm and weighing approximately 9.5 g. Characterized by brownish-tan stripes on the back of its tail along the keels or ridges, and a thicker tail compared to slender hands and pedipalps.

Identification Tips

Differentiated from the Arizona bark scorpion by its striped tail and thicker tail structure. Base color is light yellow/golden brown with variable underlying markings.

Habitat

Typically found in the Sonoran Desert of north-western Mexico and the southwestern United States, under rocks and surface objects in various habitats from desert floors to rocky hillsides. Prefers humid areas.

Distribution

Found in Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur in Mexico, and in Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of California in the United States.

Diet

Feeds primarily on small invertebrates, including other scorpions, crickets, mealworms, and roaches.

Life Cycle

Offspring grow inside the female scorpion and are born alive, with gestation lasting 3–8 months. The female cares for the young, carrying them on her back until their first molting period.

Reproduction

Involves mating dances; females may attack males if they prolong the dance. The female bears live young.

Predators

Pallid bats, sand-swimmer snakes, spiders, centipedes, lizards, birds, mammals, and other scorpions.

Ecosystem Role

As a predator, it helps control populations of small invertebrates.

Health Concerns

Venom is not medically significant for humans or mammals and is not considered dangerous.

Evolution

Formerly classified in the genus Hoffmannius prior to 2013.

Misconceptions

Often mistaken for more dangerous species due to its appearance, but its venom is not harmful to humans.