Bark Scorpion

Masters of fluorescence that glow under ultraviolet light. These scorpions, with their venomous stinger curved over their back, are nocturnal hunters that have perfected their design for over 400 million years.

Scorpions of the genus Centruroides are the most common venomous arachnids in Panama. Medium-sized (5-10 cm), their body ranges from pale yellow to dark brown. Their most notable feature, besides the curved stinger at the end of the tail, is their ability to glow with blue-green fluorescence under ultraviolet light due to compounds in their exoskeleton. They are nocturnal hunters feeding on insects and other arachnids, using their pincers (pedipalps) to grasp prey while the stinger injects venom. Their sting is painful but rarely dangerous for healthy adults. They are common under bark, stones, and in gardens.

Habitat

Dry and wet forests, under bark, stones, and in urban areas throughout Panama