Scorpions are generally associated with the southwest part of the United States, but you can find a few species outside of the desert and sneaking around in other states. When I think of Louisiana, scorpions are probably the last arachnids or insects that come to mind. I have a lot of family in Louisiana and have lived there myself for years, so when I discovered that there are two species of scorpions that are native to Louisiana, I was more than a little surprised. I’ve never thought I had to worry about scorpions in Louisiana. The swamp always brings insects/arachnids like mosquitos, ants, spiders, and other flying or swimming critters to my mind; not scorpions. Scorpions are the one evil that the muggy, swampy ecosystem of Louisiana is supposed to keep out. I just figured they couldn’t handle the wetter atmosphere in states like Louisiana… But, it turns out I am wrong and there are two species of scorpions that are native to the state.

The first scorpion found in Louisiana naturally is the Striped Bark Scorpion. While it may be native to Louisiana, this scorpion is found in mostly dry areas…the few it can find in the state anyways. These guys love the wood they are named after, preferring to settle down in the darkest corners of your home, surrounded by dark wooden walls where they can find a little crevice to hide in until you decide to go in your attic for the first time in years and stumble upon one…even though you were certain that the last time you checked, scorpions are only supposed to live in the desert, not the swamps of Louisiana. Their venom is not deadly to humans, their sting being roughly as painful as a bee’s sting, but you will definitely notice the pain if you are stung. So, be on the lookout for this scorpion if you are wandering around in the dark wooden corners of your attic.

The other scorpion native to Louisiana is the Southern Devil Scorpion. These guys are tiny, only slightly larger than you fingernail, and mostly brown in color. This scorpion is nocturnal, and you can find them mostly under logs and in leaf litter. Like the other scorpion native to Louisiana, the Southern Devil Scorpion has a sting that is not fatal to humans, but still hurts like the devil (pun intended). Unlike the Striped Bark Scorpion, you don’t need to watch out for these critters inside your home, but outside hidden amongst the leaves and logs that cover most of the ground for most of the year. You can’t really hide from this one, as it is the one hiding in plain sight from you. But, hopefully, if you wear shoes while walking outside, it won’t sting you if you accidentally step on its hiding spot in that pile of leaves sitting just under your favorite climbing tree…

Have you ever seen a scorpion in Louisiana? What kind of scorpion was it, and was it a native species?