Paravaejovis spinigerus

Paravaejovis
spinigerus

Paravaejovis spinigerus is commonly called the stripe-tailed scorpion, placed in Paravaejovis after the 2013 revision of North-American vaejovids. It is native to the Sonoran Desert, widespread in Arizona, extending into southeast California, southwest New Mexico, and northwestern Sonora, Mexico. Adults reach about 6–7 cm, with a sandy-tan body marked by dark longitudinal stripes on the tail. Found under rocks and desert debris, it thrives in simple arid enclosures and is generally regarded as a good beginner species due to its hardy nature and low-risk venom.

HABITAT

🌍 Geographic Range:

Paravaejovis spinigerus is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its distribution includes:

United States: Primarily Arizona, with populations also in parts of California, Nevada, and New Mexico.
Mexico: Extends into Sonora and parts of northwestern Mexico.

It is one of the most commonly encountered scorpions in Arizona, frequently found in suburban and natural desert environments.

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🏡 Microhabitat Preferences:

This species thrives in arid and semi-arid desert ecosystems.

Key habitat features include:

Sonoran and Mojave deserts, where it is often found under rocks, logs, or surface debris.
Sandy soils and rocky slopes, which provide good cover and burrowing opportunities.
Scrubland and desert grassland areas, where vegetation offers shade and protection.
Around human habitation (yards, gardens, woodpiles) due to suitable shelter opportunities.

It is nocturnal, emerging at night to hunt insects and small invertebrates, while spending the day concealed under cover to avoid desiccation and heat.

Physical Description

📏Size:

Paravaejovis spinigerus is a moderate-sized desert scorpion, with adults typically measuring 5–7 cm (2–2.75 inches) in length. It has a relatively slender build compared to bulkier scorpions, with a relatively thick metasoma (tail) and proportionally smaller pincers, similar to that of buthidae scorpions.

Despite its modest size, it is one of the more frequently encountered scorpions in the southwestern U.S. deserts.

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🎨Coloration:

Its coloration is highly adapted for camouflage in desert habitats. The base color is usually light tan to yellowish-brown, blending with sandy soils. Along the metasoma, it has distinct dark longitudinal stripes, which give rise to its common name, the stripe-tailed scorpion.

The carapace and tergites often show subtle mottling or shading, while the pincers are typically a shade darker than the body. .

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Captive Care

📏Enclosure Size:

A single adult can be comfortably kept in a 5–10 gallon terrarium, as this is a smaller scorpion (5–7 cm). Larger enclosures are fine but not essential. Provide shallow, dry substrate for digging and multiple hides such as flat rocks, cork bark, or artificial caves. Height is less important than floor space since this is a terrestrial species.

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🌡️Temperature:

Keep the enclosure between 24–28 °C, with a slight temperature gradient. A side-mounted heat mat can be used.Alternatively, this is one of the scorpions I would reccomend a heat lamp for (not too strong).

Nighttime drops to 18–20 °C are natural and beneficial.

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💧Humidity:

Unlike tropical scorpions, P. spinigerus requires low humidity (30–50%). Too much moisture can cause stress and even death. Mist only lightly on occasion or provide a slightly more humid retreat by moistening a corner of the substrate. Otherwise, keep the enclosure dry with good airflow.

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🌱Substrate:

Provide 5 cm of dry, sandy soil or a mix of play sand and organic soil for digging. This scorpion does not need deep, humid burrowing substrate like rainforest species. Instead, the substrate should mimic desert ground, dry, compact, and firm.

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⏰Feeding schedule:

Feed adults every 10–14 days. Offer live prey such as:

Crickets
Roaches
Locusts
Occasionally superworms (not as staple food)

Juveniles may feed more often, about once per week. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours to avoid stress or injury to the scorpion. Adults sometimes fast for weeks, which is normal if the scorpion is otherwise healthy.

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🥣Water Source:

Provide a small, shallow water dish with fresh water, even though this species gets much of its hydration from prey. The dish should be shallow to prevent drowning of small feeders.

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🍃Ventilation

Good ventilation is essential to keep the enclosure dry. Cross-ventilation works best. Unlike tropical scorpions, P. spinigerus is adapted to arid conditions, so airflow should prevent stagnant, humid air.

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🙈Hides:

Provide multiple dry shelters such as flat rocks, cork bark, or half logs. This species naturally hides under stones, bark, or desert debris during the day. Burrows may be shallow and not as complex as those of tropical species.

VENOM

💉 The venom of Paravaejovis spinigerus is mild and generally not dangerous to healthy humans. A sting typically feels similar to that of a bee or wasp, causing short-lived pain, slight swelling, or redness that usually fades within a few hours. The scorpion uses its venom primarily to subdue small prey rather than for defense. It is not considered medically significant, though individuals with allergies or weakened immune systems should still exercise caution. This species is not aggressive and will usually sting only if it feels threatened or is handled roughly.

STATS

LATIN NAME:

• Paravaejovis spinigerus

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COMMON NAME:

• Stripe Tailed scorpion

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TEMPERATURE

• 24°- 28°

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TEMPERAMENT:

• Fast

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HUMIDITY:

• 40%

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COMMUNAL:

• No

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SIZE:

• Up to 7cm

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ECOLOGY:

• Terrestrial

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SUBSTRATE:

• Sandy Soil

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ORIGIN:

• Arizona, US

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