Location at the Zoo
Americas
Global Range
Central and South America
Central American bark scorpion
Centruroides margaritatus
The Central American bark scorpion (Centruroides margaritatus) is a slender, agile scorpion known for its arboreal and climbing habits, as well as its relatively mild venom compared to other members of the Centruroides genus. Adults typically measure 7 to 9 centimetres in length and exhibit a pale brown to reddish-brown body, often with darker banding across the back and a darker tail. Their pincers (pedipalps) are narrow and elongated, typical of species that rely more on venom than brute force to subdue prey.
This scorpion is nocturnal and prefers to hide in crevices, under bark, or among rocks and logs during the day, emerging at night to hunt for insects and other small arthropods.
Conservation Status: IUCN
Distribution
Native to tropical and subtropical lowland regions of Central America and the northwestern corner of South America, with confirmed reports from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Habitat
Prefers dry forests, tropical lowlands, and disturbed human environments. It is frequently found under bark (hence the name), in leaf litter, in woodpiles, and occasionally within buildings or barns. Unlike many scorpions, it is an excellent climber, often using vertical surfaces and hiding in elevated cracks and crevices.
Diet
Carnivorous. Feeds primarily on insects and small arthropods, such as crickets, roaches, termites, and spiders. It uses its pincers to grasp prey and injects venom with its stinger to immobilize it before consumption.
Reproduction
Scorpions are viviparous—females give birth to live young, which immediately climb onto the mother’s back. A single brood may contain 15 to 30 juveniles, depending on the health and size of the female. After their first moult, the young disperse and begin independent life.
Adaptation
- Arboreal ability allows it to escape predators and find shelter above ground
- Nocturnal behaviour helps it avoid daytime predators and heat
- Venomous sting subdues prey and deters predators, though not dangerously toxic to healthy humans
- UV fluorescence under blacklight makes it useful in research and field detection
- Sensory hairs on legs detect vibrations and chemical signals in the environment
Threats to Survival
- Habitat loss due to land clearing and urbanization
- Exotic pet trade may affect local populations if collection is unregulated
- Human persecution, as they are often feared and killed on sight
- Fragmented populations may be at greater risk in certain regions
