Largest-north-american-scorpion
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Hadrurus arizonensis
giant desert hairy scorpion, giant hairy scorpion, Arizona Desert hairy scorpion
Hadrurus arizonensis is the largest scorpion in North America, reaching up to 14 cm in length. This arachnid inhabits the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, where it constructs elaborate burrows up to 2.5 meters deep. It is a nocturnal predator that employs a 'sit and wait' hunting strategy, using sensory hairs to detect ground vibrations. Despite its imposing size, its venom is relatively mild with an LD50 of 168-198 mg/kg, comparable in pain to a honeybee sting. The species is viviparous, with young remaining on the mother's back for over a week after birth.