Arachnid
Slender Brown Scorpion
Centruroides gracilisAlso known as Florida Bark Scorpion, Brown Bark Scorpion, Red Bark Scorpion, Slender Red Scorpion
Slender brown scorpions are agile, nocturnal predators that climb trees, outer walls, and rock faces in search of crawling prey. Mothers carry their newly hatched young on their backs until after the first molt, protecting them during their most vulnerable stage. During the day, they wedge their flattened bodies into narrow bark crevices or beneath debris to avoid heat and predators.
NocturnalArachnidVenomous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyRoaches, Crickets, Spiders
Predators
- Birds
- Lizards
- Small Mammals
ThreatsPesticide application, habitat destruction
HabitatsTropical forests, rocky areas, tree bark, human structures
Life span3–5 years
Classification
- OrderScorpiones
- FamilyButhidae
- GenusCentruroides
- SpeciesCentruroides gracilis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Delivers a painful sting; maintain a safe distance and avoid handling with bare hands.
- Why it is dangerous
- Delivers a painful sting containing neurotoxic venom that causes localized burning, swelling, and severe discomfort.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a dark reddish-brown body with elongated pincers, pale legs, and a slender curled tail.
- What to do
- Wear gloves when moving outdoor debris, inspect footwear in endemic areas, and use UV light to spot them at night.
Responsible observation
- Night Observing: Use a ultraviolet flashlight at night, as their exoskeleton fluoresces bright blue-green under blacklight.
- Home Inspection: Check footwear and outdoor clothing before putting them on when in areas where they frequent.
- Safe Observation: Avoid reaching under loose bark or ground debris with bare hands.
Competitor (c) Bill Sheehan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Bill Sheehan · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Musides (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative A. Knoblich / Public domain · cc0
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