Although it is a Scorpion
Note the thick heavy claws
This variety is HARMLESS to people

SCORPIONS

Scorpions are characterized by having the body divided into two major parts - the head plus part of the abdomen, and the last five segments of the abdomen which make up the tail with apical sting. They also have large crab claw-like pedipalps. Scorpions have 5 pairs of limbs. They also have a large paired, comb-like ventral pectines and four pairs of book lungs.

Scorpions are nocturnal predators. During the day they hide under stones, log or boards, or in cracks and holes in the ground. They prey on ground dwelling insects and small animals.

The majority of California species average about 2 inches long as adults. Some exotic species can be as long as 6 inches. They occur throughout milder parts of California, including the Sierra foothills, and coastal mountains.

Species with long slender claws are active predators and immobilize their prey with potent sting. The sting of these species is painful to humans and in one species found along the Colorado River can be fatal.

Scorpions with thick heavy claws are generally sit and wait predators. They can sting but tend to use their claws to immobilize prey. The sting is generally harmless to humans in these species. This is the commonest group of scorpions in northern California.

Lynn S. Kimsey, PhD
Steven L. Heydon, PhD

&copy Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis
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