Florida Bark Scorpion

• Common Group: SPIDERS, SCORPIONS & INVERTEBRATES
• Common Name: Flroida Bark Scorpion
• Scientific Name: Centruroides gracilis

Natural History

This relatively large bark scorpion is characterized by a dark brown body with slightly lighter legs and usually faint yellowish dashes on the back. Preferring warm, humid conditions this species is found throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and southern Florida.

Size and Longevity

This is a relatively large species of bark scorpion able to reach an overall length of 4 inches (males usually possessing longer tails than females). Bark scorpions are not particularly long lived, but with proper care they can be expected to live several years depending on the age of the specimen.

Housing

Unlike many species of scorpions this species will live communally. They require very little space and a colony can be maintained in a terrarium of about 5 gallons. Bark scorpions are excellent escape artists so a tight fitting lid is a must. A 1 inch band of petroleum jelly around the upper inside part of the tank will help prevent escapes. Florida Bark Scorpions do well in an enclosure kept between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit on the warm end. This can be achieved through the use of an under tank heating pad as heat lights may stress this nocturnal animal. An inch or two of humidity promoting substrate such as potting soil or ground coconut fiber works well for this species. Add stacks of cork bark to provide places for them to climb and hide in.

Nutrition

Bark scorpions will live their whole lives on a diet of appropriately sized crickets or other feeder insects, usually consuming 2 or 3 a week..

Handling

While this species venom is considered harmless, their sting is reportedly quite painful. Furthermore there have been reports of more serious envenomation from specimens in the Caribbean and Central America. Due to their readiness to sting this species should not be handled.