- Where to see one
- 3 U.S. zoos in our directory hold desert hairy scorpion, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the desert hairy scorpion
The giant desert hairy scorpion is the largest scorpion in North America, reaching up to about 14 cm in length. Tan to olive-green with a darker back, yellow legs and crab-like pincers, it is covered in brown hairs that help it pick up vibrations in the soil. It lives in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts, digging burrows up to 2.5 m long and emerging at night to hunt large insects, spiders and, at times, lizards, small snakes and rodents. It often waits motionless for prey to come within reach. Despite its size, its sting is generally compared to that of a honeybee.
Desert Hairy Scorpion facts
- It is the largest scorpion in North America.
- Its burrows can reach up to 2.5 m in length.
- Young are born live and stay on the mother's back for a week or more.
- Its sting is commonly perceived to be about as painful as a honeybee's.
Where to see desert hairy scorpion in the U.S.
3 zoos across 3 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 3 zoos holding desert hairy scorpion by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
California· 1
Oregon· 1
Tennessee· 1
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
