Coming face to face with a scorpion can be a chilling experience. These animals of the arachnid family not only have an intimidating and menacing appearance, but their venom can be dangerous to humans and pets.
However, everything will depend on the species of scorpion in question, so on our site we have prepared this article about the 15 most poisonous scorpions in the worldand we'll show you how to identify them.
Types of scorpions and where they live
Scorpions, also called scorpions, are arthropods related to arachnids that are distributed practically all over the world, except for the Arctic regions and a large part of Russian territory.
There are about 1400 different species of scorpions and they are all poisonous, except that the poisons have different effects, for what only some are lethal; the rest only cause intoxication reactions.
In general, they are characterized by having two pincers or pincers and a sting with which they inject the poison As for their diet, Scorpions feed on insects and other small animals, such as lizards. They only use the stinger when they feel threatened, as it is their most effective defense mechanism.
Now, although not all species are deadly, many are extremely dangerous for humans, so in the next section we will talk about several of them.
Where do scorpions live?
They prefer to live in areas with a desert climate, where they live between rocks and ditches in the ground, although it is also possible to find some species forest.
The most poisonous scorpions in the world
There are some species of scorpions whose sting is deadly to humans, learn how to identify them below!
1. Brazilian Yellow Scorpion
The Brazilian yellow scorpion (Tityus serrulatus) is distributed in different areas of the Brazilian territory, although it has migrated to others that were not typical due to population growth. It is characterized by having a black body, but with yellow extremities and tail
The venom of this species is capable of causing death, as it directly attacks the nervous system and causes respiratory arrest.
two. Black Tailed Scorpion
The black-tailed scorpion (Androctonus bicolor) is found in Africa and the Far East, where it prefers to live in desert and sandy areas. It is only 9 centimeters long and its entire body is black or very dark brown. They are nocturnal and their character is usually violent.
The sting of this scorpion is also lethal to humans, as it is easily absorbed and causes respiratory arrest.
3. Yellow Palestinian Scorpion
The palestinian yellow scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus) inhabits Africa and the East. It measures up to 11 centimeters and is easily identifiable due to its yellow body ending in black at the end of the tail.
Its sting is painful, but only is lethal when it affects children or people with heart failure. In these cases, it causes pulmonary edema and later death.
4. Bark Scorpion
The bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is distributed in the United States and Mexico. It is characterized by its yellowish color without major distinctions, in addition to a quite curved stinger. Solo measures 5 centimeters and prefers to live in dry areas, where it takes refuge under rocks and sand.
It is considered the most dangerous scorpion in the United States, because like the others, its venom is capable of causing death by affect the respiratory system.
5. Common Yellow Scorpion
The common yellow scorpion (Buthus occitanus) inhabits the Iberian Peninsula and various areas of France. It measures only 8 centimeters and is characterized by a brownish body with a yellow tail and limbs.
The venom of this species is very painful, although it only causes death when it bites children or people with serious he alth problems.
The most poisonous scorpions in Argentina
In Spanish-speaking countries there are also different species of scorpions whose venom has different levels of danger. Meet some of them in each country!
In Argentina there are also several species of scorpions, some carry dangerous poisons for humans, while others only produce momentary effects. Meet some of them!
Argentine Scorpion (Tityus argentinus)
It measures 8 centimeters and can be found in the north of Argentine territory It is easily distinguished by its appearance: black stinger, bright yellow limbs and gray body. It prefers to live in damp places and, although it does not usually attack humans, its bite is deadly because it affects the nervous system.
Grey Scorpion (Tityus trivittatus)
The second of the most poisonous scorpions in Argentina is found not only in this country, where it is common in Corrientes and Chaco, but also in Brazil and ParaguayIt prefers to live on the bark of trees and wooden buildings, as it likes humidity. Its body is gray, with yellow pincers and tail, and limbs that vary between very light yellow and white. Its venom is very dangerous and is considered more powerful than that of a rattlesnake, which is why it is fatal in humans if the emergency is not attended to in time.
The most poisonous scorpions in Mexico
In Mexico there are various species of scorpions that are poisonous if they attack human beings, among which are:
Black Scorpion (Centruroides gracilis)
It lives not only in Mexico, but also in Honduras, Cuba and Panama, among other countries. It measures between 10 and 15 centimeters and its color varies quite a bit: it is possible to find it in dark tones close to black or a very intense brown, with colors on the extremities that can be reddish, light brown or greyish. Its sting can cause vomiting, tachycardia and difficulty breathing, among other symptoms, but if the wound is not treated in time, it can lead to death.
Morelos scorpion or scorpion (Centruroides limpidus)
It is one of the most poisonous scorpions in Mexico and the world. It measures 10 to 12 centimeters and has a more intense brownish color in the pincers. Its poison causes death by attacking the respiratory system.
Nayarit Scorpion (Centruroides noxius)
Considered one of the most dangerous scorpions in Mexico, it can also be found in some regions of Chile. It is difficult to identify it, as it has a very varied coloration: from greenish tones, through black, yellow and even reddish brown. Its bite causes death if it is not treated in time.
The most poisonous scorpions in Venezuela
In Venezuela there are about 110 different species of scorpions, of which only some are poisonous to humans, such as:
Red Scorpion (Tityus discrepans)
Measures only 7 millimeters and has a reddish body with a black tail and light colored extremities. It is found not only in Venezuela, but also in Brazil and Guiana, where it prefers to live on the bark of trees and in the midst of vegetation. Its sting is deadly if not treated in time and is potentially dangerous for children, which is why it is considered the most dangerous species in the country.
The most poisonous scorpions in Chile
In Chile it is also possible to find some species of poisonous scorpions, such as:
Chilean Scorpion (Bothriurus coriaceus)
It is endemic to the Coquimbo region, where it lives among the sand dunes. Unlike most scorpions, prefers cooler temperatures, so it often digs holes to shelter from the heat. Although its sting is not fatal, it can cause poisoning in allergic people.
Chilean Orange Scorpion (Brachistosterus paposo)
The body is dull orange on the limbs and tail, and a brighter orange on the torso. It measures only 8 centimeters and lives in the Paposo desert. Its sting is not lethal, but causes discomfort in people with allergies.
The most poisonous scorpions in Spain
Few species of scorpions live in Spain, one of them is the Buthus occitanus or common scorpion, already mentioned. Among the others that can be found are:
Black yellow-legged scorpion (Euscorpius flavicaudis)
Inhabits the entire Iberian Peninsula and prefers warm and humid areas to live. Although its sting is comparable to that of a bee, and therefore harmless, it can be dangerous for allergy sufferers.
Iberian Scorpion (Buthus ibericus)
Inhabits Extremadura and Andalusia, mainly. It is characterized by its brown color similar to the bark of trees, where it prefers to live. Its bite is not fatal for an adult human being, but it is dangerous in pets, children and people with allergies.
These are just some of the most poisonous species of scorpions that exist In other countries, such as Bolivia, Uruguay and Panama, there are also different types of scorpions, but their sting does not represent a danger, beyond the fact that specimens of the aforementioned species can be found, such as the Tityus trivittatus.
