Wildlife: A Slender Brown Scorpion Is Seen In An Ancient Mayan Site In Guatemala Stock Photo

Slender Brown Scorpion Centruroides gracilis is a species in the family Buthidae, the bark scorpions. Its common names include Florida bark scorpion and brown bark scorpion. In Cuba it is known as dusky and blue scorpion. It is native to northern parts of the middle Americas, including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. It is present in other parts as an introduced species, including Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Florida in the United States. It is also introduced in parts of Africa, including Cameroon and Gabon, as well as the Canary Islands. The female of the species reaches up to 10 centimeters in length, while the male can exceed 15 centimeters. The female gives birth to a litter of 25 to 35 young, with litters of 91 recorded. The juveniles ride on the female`s back and undergo their first molt at eight days of age. This scorpion feeds on insects such as roaches. The scorpion lives under rocks and tree bark. When given the opportunity it will live in the walls of houses and under rubbish piles in yards. Predators of the scorpion include the tarantula. The tarantula may kill the scorpion even if it is the scorpion that attacks first. The scorpion is venomous, but much less toxic than others of its genus. Its venom is neurotoxic and cardiotoxic. Local effects from the sting can include pain, redness, itching, and swelling. The venom can produce cardiac effects such as arrhythmia, pulmonary edema, tachycardia or bradycardia, and hyper or hypotension.