Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Chelicerata Order Scorpiones | Phylum Arthropoda Class Arachnida Family Vaejovidae | |
The lesser stripetail scorpion, Hoffmannius or Vaejovis coahuilae, is a small (35-55mm) 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 V. spinigerus, V. waueri, V. globosus, V.confusus, and V. 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 (2,100 m) or more. Because V. 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 millimetres (1.4 in). Females grow 40–45 millimetres (1.6–1.8 in), but rarely as large as 55 millimetres (2.2 in).