Vaejovidae
Guides
Catalinia
Catalinia is a genus of small scorpions in the family Vaejovidae, established in 2017 following taxonomic revision of southwestern North American scorpion fauna. The genus comprises species formerly placed in the genus Pseudouroctonus, distinguished by reduced body size and unique morphological features. These scorpions inhabit rocky environments in arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The genus name honors the Santa Catalina Mountains of Arizona, where the type species was discovered.
Chihuahuanus
Chihuahuanus is a genus of scorpions in the family Vaejovidae, established in 2013 and endemic to northern Mexico. The genus comprises medium-sized scorpions that are not considered medically important to humans. Two described species, C. coahuilae and C. crassimanus, have been characterized for venom composition, revealing toxic fractions with lethal effects in mammals and insects and antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens.
Chihuahuanus crassimanus
Thick-handed Scorpion
Chihuahuanus crassimanus is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, originally described as Vaejovis crassimanus by Pocock in 1898. It is commonly known as the Thick-handed Scorpion. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, inhabiting arid and semi-arid regions. Like other vaejovid scorpions, it is a terrestrial predator adapted to desert environments.
Gertschius agilis
Gertschius agilis is a species of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, described by Sissom and Stockwell in 1991. It is distributed across Middle and North America. As a member of the order Scorpiones, it possesses the characteristic segmented tail with terminal stinger and pedipalps modified into pincers. The specific epithet "agilis" suggests an association with agility or quick movement.
Graemeloweus glimmei
A small scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, originally described as Vaejovis glimmei in 1972 and later transferred to the genus Graemeloweus. The genus Graemeloweus was established in 2016 to accommodate several vaejovid species previously placed in Vaejovis. This species is known from a limited number of observations and specimens, primarily from western North America.
Kochius hirsuticauda
Kochius hirsuticauda is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, first described as Vaejovis hirsuticauda by Banks in 1910 and later transferred to the genus Kochius. The specific epithet "hirsuticauda" refers to a hairy tail (cauda), a distinctive morphological feature. It is a North American species with documented observations primarily from the southwestern United States. The genus Kochius was established relatively recently, separating several species previously placed in Vaejovis based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence.
Kochius sonorae
Kochius sonorae is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, originally described by Williams in 1971 as Vaejovis sonorae before being transferred to the genus Kochius. The species is known from Middle America with distribution records indicating presence in the region. As a member of Vaejovidae, it belongs to a diverse family of scorpions primarily distributed in North and Central America.
Kovarikia
Kovarikia is a genus of scorpions in the family Vaejovidae, endemic to humid rocky microhabitats of southern California. The genus contains three described species: K. angelena, K. bogerti, and K. williamsi. It was established in 2014 based on distinctive morphological characters, particularly unique neobothriotaxy patterns on the pedipalp chelae.
Paravaejovis puritanus
Stripe-tailed scorpion
A medium-sized scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It was originally described as Vaejovis puritanus in 1958 and later transferred to the genus Paravaejovis. The species is one of several stripe-tailed scorpions in the region and is frequently encountered in desert and semi-arid habitats.
Paravaejovis waeringi
Dune Devil Scorpion
Paravaejovis waeringi, commonly known as the dune devil scorpion, is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae. It is native to the Colorado Desert of North America. The species was originally described as Vaejovis waeringi by Williams in 1970 before being transferred to the genus Paravaejovis. It is one of the scorpion species adapted to arid desert environments.
Paruroctonus arenicola
Mojave Dunes Scorpion
Paruroctonus arenicola is a sand dune specialist scorpion described by Haradon in 1984. It belongs to the family Vaejovidae and is native to North American desert regions. The species is adapted to sandy habitats and is primarily nocturnal. Like other members of the genus Paruroctonus, it exhibits typical scorpion characteristics including a segmented tail with stinger and pedipalps modified into pincers.
Paruroctonus arenicola nudipes
Paruroctonus arenicola nudipes is a subspecies of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae. It is part of the alkali-sink specialist group within the genus Paruroctonus, which has been the focus of recent taxonomic research involving citizen science discoveries. The parent species P. arenicola was described by Haradon in 1984, with the subspecies nudipes recognized at the same time. Members of this genus are typically associated with dry, saline playa habitats in western North America.
Paruroctonus gracilior
Paruroctonus gracilior is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, first described by Hoffmann in 1931. It belongs to a genus that includes several alkali playa specialists adapted to arid environments. The species has been documented in both Middle and North America, though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Paruroctonus luteolus
Paruroctonus luteolus is a species of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, originally described as Vaejovis luteolus by Gertsch & Soleglad in 1966. It belongs to the genus Paruroctonus, which includes several alkali-sink specialist species found in arid regions of western North America. The species is known from Middle America and North America, though specific details about its ecology and behavior remain limited in available literature.
Paruroctonus pecos
Paruroctonus pecos is a species of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, first described by Sissom & Francke in 1981. It belongs to a genus of small scorpions found in arid regions of North America. Information specific to this species is limited in the available sources.
Paruroctonus silvestrii
California common scorpion, stripe-tailed scorpion
Paruroctonus silvestrii is a small scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, native to the coastal regions of California and Baja California. It is commonly known as the California common scorpion or stripe-tailed scorpion. The species inhabits dry areas where it constructs and occupies burrows. It is distinguished by four longitudinal brown lines on the ventral surface of its tail, which gives rise to its 'stripe-tailed' common name.
Paruroctonus variabilis
Paruroctonus variabilis is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, described by Hjelle in 1982. It is native to North America. As a member of the genus Paruroctonus, it belongs to a group of scorpions that includes several alkali playa specialists, though the specific ecological preferences of P. variabilis itself have not been detailed in the available literature. The species is represented in scientific collections and citizen science platforms, with observations documented in the western United States.
Pseudouroctonus santarita
Pseudouroctonus santarita is a species of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, described by Ayrey and Soleglad in 2015. The species belongs to a genus of scorpions found in western North America. Like other members of Pseudouroctonus, it is a small to medium-sized scorpion adapted to specific habitats in arid and semi-arid regions. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision using molecular data to clarify species boundaries.
Serradigitus wupatkiensis
Serradigitus wupatkiensis is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, first described by Stahnke in 1940. It belongs to the genus Serradigitus, which is characterized by serrated or toothed structures on the pedipalp fingers. The species is found in North America, with the specific epithet referencing Wupatki, likely indicating a type locality in the southwestern United States. Like other vaejovid scorpions, it is a small to medium-sized species adapted to arid environments.
Smeringurus vachoni
Vachon's Hairy Scorpion, Vachon's Sand Scorpion
Smeringurus vachoni is a small to medium-sized burrowing scorpion endemic to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Formerly classified in Paruroctonus, it was reassigned to Smeringurus based on morphological and genetic studies. This psammophilic (sand-dwelling) species constructs shallow burrows in loose sandy substrates and is primarily nocturnal. It is distinguished by its densely setose (hairy) pedipalps and metasoma, an adaptation for sensory function in sandy environments.
Smeringurus vachoni immanis
Smeringurus vachoni immanis is a subspecies of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, native to the southwestern United States. It belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive metasomal (tail) morphology. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological differentiation from the nominate form S. vachoni vachoni. Like other members of Smeringurus, it is adapted to arid environments and exhibits fossorial or nocturnal habits typical of desert scorpions.
Smeringurus vachoni vachoni
Smeringurus vachoni vachoni is a subspecies of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized scorpions found in arid regions of western North America. The nominate subspecies is distinguished from the other subspecies, S. v. mesaensis, primarily by geographic distribution.
Stahnkeus deserticola
A medium-sized scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, originally described from Arizona. The species epithet 'deserticola' indicates its association with desert habitats. It was transferred from the genus Vaejovis to the genus Stahnkeus based on phylogenetic and morphological studies. The genus Stahnkeus was established to accommodate a distinct lineage of vaejovid scorpions found in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Uroctonites
Uroctonites is a genus of scorpions in the family Vaejovidae, established by Williams and Savary in 1991. Species within this genus are found in western North America, particularly in California and surrounding regions. The genus was separated from related taxa based on morphological characteristics of the pedipalps and metasoma. Members are generally small to medium-sized scorpions adapted to arid and semi-arid environments.
Uroctonites montereus
Uroctonites montereus is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, described from Monterey County, California. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized scorpions found in western North America. The species is part of a taxonomic group that has undergone significant revision, with Uroctonites species historically classified under different genera.
Uroctonus mordax
California forest scorpion, western forest scorpion
Uroctonus mordax is a small scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, endemic to the coastal forests of California and extending into western Oregon and southern Washington. It is strongly associated with Redwood Forests and Oak Woodlands, where it occupies a foundational ecological role. The species exhibits distinctive physical traits including a squat body, slender tail, and sexually dimorphic coloration. It is notable for its mild venom and reclusive, nocturnal behavior.
Vaejovis carolinianus
southern unstriped scorpion, southern devil scorpion
Vaejovis carolinianus is a small, dark scorpion native to the southeastern United States and the only scorpion species native to Tennessee. Adults are generally less than 2 inches in length with claws and tail extended. The species exhibits defensive behaviors including stinging and chelae pinches, with risk assessment capabilities that allow it to modify responses based on environmental features such as refuge availability. It is a generalist predator of smaller arthropods and has been observed to be cannibalistic.
Vaejovis chisos
Vaejovis chisos is a species of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, described by Sissom in 1990. It belongs to the genus Vaejovis, a group of scorpions commonly referred to as mountain scorpions. The species is native to North America and is part of the diverse scorpion fauna of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico region.
Vaejovis intermedius
Intermediate Scorpion
Vaejovis intermedius is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, described by Borelli in 1915. The species occurs in Middle and North America according to distribution records. As a member of the genus Vaejovis, it shares characteristics with other vaejovid scorpions, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in major taxonomic databases.