Common names:
In the USA this species is known as the Arizona Bark Scorpion. This species was previously known as C. sculpturatus. The specific name exilicauda means "slender tail".

Distribution:
USA (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah) and northwestern Mexico.

Habitat:
This species is found in different places, but is usually found under rocks, logs, the bark of trees, and other surface objects. It is found in temperate and arid areas.

Venom:
This scorpion can inflict a very painful sting, and is considered to be medically significant. It is probably not as dangerous as previously thought, and possesses no threat to most healthy adults. The sting can be dangerous and life-threatening to infants and small children. Children often show severe involuntary motor activity, agitation, and respiratory difficulties after being stung by C. exilicauda. Even though, data searches indicate that no deaths have been reported for this species in the USA since 1968 (excluding deaths due to anaphylactic shock).

An antivenin active against C. exilicauda is experimental, only available in Arizona, and is not approved by the FDA.

An LD50 value of 1,12 mg/kg is reported for this species, though this is known to vary greatly even within a close population (F. Russell, personal communication to K.J. McWest, 1994).

Selected litterature:
Gibly R. et al. (1999). Continous intravenous midazolam infusion for Centruroides exilicauda scorpion envenomation. Ann. Emerg. Med., 34, p. 5.
Gateau, T. et al. (1994). Response to specific Centruroides sculpturatus antivenom in 151 cases of scorpion stings. Clinical Toxicology, 32 (2), pp. 165-171.
Bernstein J.N. et al. (1994). Efficacy of Antiscorpion (Centruroides exilicauda) Fab. in a Mouse Model. Vet. Hum. Toxicol., 36, p. 346.
Curry, S.C. et al (1983). Envenomation by the Scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus. J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol., 21(4-5), pp. 417-49.

On the Internet:
Scott Stockwell on C. exilicauda

Pepe the Two-Tailed Scorpion (C. exilicauda)
Information about C. exilicauda
Biota Information System Of New Mexico (C. exilicauda)
Centruroides exilicauda (sculpturatus) information
Gifttier Informationsdienst on C. exilicauda

General:
This species are found in many different color morphs, and it is possible that the scorpions described as this species actually are several species. A revision of the species is needed.

This species is found in some pet collections, both in US and Europe. Captive breeding have been reported. Due to the strenght of its venom, this species should only be kept by experienced keepers.

Centruroides exilicauda photo by Jan Ove Rein (C)
Part of the information on this page was suplied by Kari McWest.