Scorpion

Category:

Actual Size: 57 to 63 mm

Characteristics: Yellowish to tan in color, marked with two dark, vertical stripes down its body.

Legs: 8

Habitat: Lives under rocks, under boards, and in debris. Can be found indoors or outdoors in a wide variety of habitats— pine forests, rocky slopes, grasslands, crawl spaces and attics.

Habits:

  • Can sting, but their venom is weak and non-lethal.
  • Nocturnal and will glow when a black light is placed over their body.
  • Excellent climbers and commonly found in attics, on walls and ceilings.

Scorpions in Georgia

Scorpions have a very distinct structure. They have 8 legs, two modified mouthparts (pedipalps) with pincers, and a tail with a stinger (telson) on the end. They will be some variation of brown, tan, or black and can range in size from roughly 1-2 inches in length. Scorpions usually eat insects and other arthropods, but they have been found to feed on small vertebrates (mice, lizards, frogs, etc.) as well.

Scorpion Habitat

Scorpions are most common outdoors. They can be found under rocks, leaf piles, mulch, tree bark, in cracks or crevices, etc. Indoors they hide in dark safe locations. Areas such as basements, baseboards, clothing pockets, drawers, shoes, etc. are perfect harborage areas.

Scorpion Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

These insects are most active at night (nocturnal). Scorpions can sting if you accidentally smash them or trap them. Most of the time, when a scorpion stings, it is because they were hiding and the human or animal is unaware of their presence. If you do happen to be stung by a scorpion in the state of Georgia, unless you are allergic to the venom, it will not be medically significant. If you are ever stung and/or are in doubt about how your body is reacting, seek medical attention immediately.