Scorpions are pretty intimidating arachnids, and there is a good reason for their non-pet status. Unlike most arachnid species, scorpions are always ready to deal out a painful sting to humans. Some scorpion species will only cause their victims to experience a mild sting, while others can literally cause death if medical attention is not sought out. Luckily, scorpion habitats are not widespread in the United States, as these creatures can only be found in arid regions located in the southwest portion of the country. Unfortunately, this may not be the case forever, as a dangerous scorpion species that is native to Arizona has recently turned up in El Paso, Texas. Apparently, these newly arriving scorpions have not been shy about swinging their stingers toward unsuspecting victims. So far, these scorpions have sent two children to the hospital.
The Arizona bark scorpion is well known to residents of Arizona, as you could probably assume. However, this scorpion does not dwell in any region other than the arid regions of Arizona. Because of this scorpion species’ activity in El Paso, two children had to be sent to the El Paso Children’s Hospital. Due to this scorpion species’ presence in the Texas city, hospitals are beginning to stock up on scorpion anti-venom for the first time in history. Now, the children’s hospital and the West Texas Poison Control Center possess the anti-venom necessary for treating scorpion sting victims in Texas.
The Arizona bark scorpion’s sting is not to be ignored, as they cause serious physical symptoms. According to Dr. Sal Baeza, the director of the West Texas Regional Poison Center, this scorpion species can cause a variety of different symptoms including uncontrollable rolling of the eyes, irregular blood pressure and heart rate, loss of control and feeling in the arms and legs, and trouble breathing. In fact, this scorpion’s sting can cause breathing issues that are so severe, victims are sometimes placed on a ventilator. It is not yet known how the Arizona bark scorpion arrived in El Paso, or if the scorpion population in the city is an isolated one, but medical professionals are prepared should any more people experience unpleasant encounters with these frightening arachnid creatures.
Have you ever encountered a scorpion while in an arid location?
