Centruroides hentzi                                               Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

This is the most common of the three types of scorpions in Florida. The Florida striped scorpion is pale brown or tan colored and usually 5-7 cm (2-2.5 inches). The head and thorax is often striped with yellow, the abdomen is slender and tipped with a stinger. Scorpions are nocturnal hunters, they seize prey and sting them to death. They are found under bark, stones, in wood piles and old buildings. Sometimes found in houses – especially recently built homes - where they like dark damp hiding places. The one in the photograph was found hiding under a dogs water bowl. Scorpions glow under ultraviolet lights, so you can get out the black lights and track them down.

Their sting is painful – like a bee sting - but not dangerous.

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