What is the striped tail scorpion?

The striped tail scorpion (Hoffmannius spinigerus) is a medium scorpion (5–7 cm) characterized by distinct dark stripes on the underside of the metasoma (tail segments) — the feature that gives it its common name. It is tan to yellowish-brown on the dorsal surface. It is considered the most abundant scorpion species in Arizona by total population, though it is less commonly encountered than the bark scorpion due to its fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle.

Is the striped tail scorpion dangerous?

The striped tail scorpion is not medically significant. Its venom causes localized pain, redness, and swelling comparable to a bee sting. No systemic effects are expected in healthy adults. It is important to distinguish it from the bark scorpion — if you are stung by a scorpion and experience numbness, tingling, or difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical care regardless of the species you think it was.

How does the striped tail scorpion differ from the bark scorpion?

Key differences: (1) Stripes — striped tail scorpions have dark stripes on the underside of the tail; bark scorpions are uniformly colored. (2) Lifestyle — striped tail scorpions are burrowers; bark scorpions are climbers. (3) Home invasion — bark scorpions frequently enter homes; striped tail scorpions rarely do. (4) Danger — bark scorpions are medically significant; striped tail scorpions are not. (5) Tail — bark scorpions have a notably thin, slender tail; striped tail scorpions have a more robust tail with visible segmental striping on the ventral surface.

What do striped tail scorpions eat?

Striped tail scorpions are generalist predators that eat insects, spiders, centipedes, and other scorpions. They are ambush predators that wait at the entrance of their burrows for prey to pass. They detect prey through substrate vibration and air movement. Like all scorpions, they can survive for months without food — their metabolic rate is extremely low, allowing them to persist through periods of prey scarcity.

Scorpion Control

Striped Tail Scorpions in Arizona — The Most Common Scorpion You Have Never Heard Of

Q: Where does the striped tail scorpion live in Arizona?

Striped tail scorpions are found throughout Arizona in desert scrub, grassland, and rocky terrain. Unlike bark scorpions, they are primarily fossorial — they spend most of their time in burrows they excavate in soil, under rocks, and in debris. They are found at higher elevations than bark scorpions and are common in the transition zone between desert and grassland. They rarely enter homes, preferring outdoor burrow habitats.

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Not Medically Significant

The striped tail scorpion is the most abundant scorpion in Arizona but is NOT medically significant. It rarely enters homes due to its burrowing lifestyle.

The striped tail scorpion is actually the most abundant scorpion species in Arizona — but it lives underground and rarely enters homes. Here's the complete identification and biology guide.

Striped Tail Scorpion — Quick ID

Size

5–7 cm

Species

Hoffmannius spinigerus

Abundance

Most common AZ scorpion

Lifestyle

Fossorial

Biology & Identification

The striped tail scorpion (Hoffmannius spinigerus, with taxonomy recently revised from Vaejovis spinigerus) is considered the most abundant scorpion species in Arizona by total population — yet most Arizona residents have never seen one. This paradox is explained by its fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle: striped tail scorpions spend the majority of their lives underground in burrows they excavate in soil, under rocks, and in debris. They are far less likely to enter homes than the bark scorpion, which is an exceptional climber that actively seeks indoor harborage.

The defining identification feature is the dark stripes on the ventral (underside) surface of the metasoma (tail segments) — not the dorsal surface. This is the opposite of the lesser striped scorpion, which has dorsal stripes. The dorsal surface is tan to yellowish-brown and relatively uniform. Adults measure 5–7 cm in total length with a more robust tail than the bark scorpion's characteristically thin metasoma. The striped tail scorpion is found at higher elevations than the bark scorpion and is particularly common in the transition zone between Sonoran Desert and grassland — areas like the Maricopa Mountains, Estrella Mountains, and the foothills surrounding the Phoenix metro.

Like all scorpions, the striped tail scorpion is an ambush predator. It waits at the entrance of its burrow for prey to pass, detecting insects, spiders, and centipedes through substrate vibration and air movement. Its metabolic efficiency is extraordinary — it can survive for months without food, making it highly resilient to environmental stress. Striped tail scorpions are also remarkably cold-tolerant and remain active at lower temperatures than bark scorpions, which is one reason they are more common at higher elevations.