Lesser stripetail scorpion

Taxobox
name = Lesser stripetail scorpion


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Chelicerata
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Scorpiones
familia = Vaejovidae
genus = "Vaejovis"
species = "V. coahuilae"
binomial = "Vaejovis coahuilae"
binomial_authority = Williams, 1968

The lesser stripetail scorpion ("Vaejovis coahuilae") is a small species of scorpion found in the southwestern United States.It is a member of the "eusthenura" group of "Vaejovis" (which also includes the American species "Vaejovis spinigerus", "Vaejovis waueri", "Vaejovis globosus", "Vaejovis confusus", and "Vaejovis puritanus"). It is generally found in Mexico and the U.S. states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

It lives in a variety of habitats and elevations, from desert flats to rolling grasslands to rocky slopes in mountains to about 7,000 feet or more. Because "Vaejovis coahuilae" is primarily a burrowing species, they are most easily found by using a black light and can be found under rocks and debris.

The sting is very painful. Sensitivity and pain can last from 15 to 30 minutes or occasionally longer, with no real medical side effects. Minor swelling and edema can be experienced during that time period depending on severity of sting.

This scorpion uses a flick as its mode of defense, but they will occasionally stand their ground with a defensive posture.

Males grow to about 35 mm. Females grow 40 to 45 mm, but rarely as large as 55 mm.