Are There Scorpions in Georgia?
No, scorpions are not established in Georgia. These arachnids are primarily found in the southwestern United States, with their nearest populations in Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas. This guide explains what scorpions look like, how dangerous they are, and what to do if you encounter one while traveling.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Western Forest Scorpion · Seth CC BY
Black Hairy Scorpion · Public domain CC0
Southern Devil Scorpion · Alan Rockefeller CC BY
- 773
- GBIF records
Yes, scorpions are in Georgia. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
2 types of scorpions recorded in Georgia
2 scorpion species have a verified observation record in Georgia, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
- No openly licensed photo yet1
- No openly licensed photo yet2
Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
No, scorpions are not established in Georgia. These arachnids are primarily found in the southwestern United States, with their nearest populations in Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas. This guide explains what scorpions look like, how dangerous they are, and what to do if you encounter one while traveling.
Are they in Georgia?
Scorpions are not found in Georgia. These arachnids require warm, dry climates and are primarily established in the southwestern United States. The nearest scorpion populations occur in Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, and parts of Texas. Some species have spread to Nevada, Utah, southern Oklahoma, and the southern edges of Kansas and Arkansas, but Georgia's humid subtropical climate does not support established scorpion colonies. If you find something that looks like a scorpion in Georgia, it is almost certainly a harmless relative or a misidentification. While you might encounter a scorpion if you travel to the Southwest or Southwest-bound regions, finding one in Georgia would be extraordinarily rare and would likely have come from a shipment or escaped pet. Learn more on ourGeorgia wildlife guideto understand the actual arthropods you might encounter.
How dangerous is it?
Scorpion danger varies by species. The bark scorpions of Arizona and the striped bark scorpion are the most medically significant in North America. A sting from most US scorpions is comparable to a bee or wasp sting, causing pain, redness, and mild swelling that resolve within hours or a few days. However, the Arizona bark scorpion can cause more serious effects including numbness, tingling, and muscle twitching, particularly in young children or people with heart conditions. Severe reactions are rare and deaths are extremely uncommon in the United States with access to medical care. For context, about 8,000 scorpion stings are reported to US poison centers annually, but serious outcomes are limited to very young children or people with compromised health. The sting itself is defensive, not aggressive. Scorpions will not seek you out and sting unless directly threatened or crushed. For more on scorpion in Georgia, see ourGeorgia scorpion guide.
How to recognize one
Scorpions have a distinctive body shape that makes them easy to identify. An adult scorpion typically measures between 2 and 8 inches long, though some species are smaller. Look for eight legs, two pincers (called pedipalps) at the front that resemble small lobster claws, and a curved tail held above the body with a stinger at the tip. Most US scorpions are brown, tan, or reddish, though some species are darker or even yellowish. The bark scorpion, found in Arizona and nearby regions, is thinner and lighter colored than other species. Scorpions typically hide during the day in dark places like woodpiles, under rocks, inside shoes, in folded blankets, or within roof eaves. They are nocturnal hunters that emerge at night to search for insects. You are far more likely to encounter a harmless scorpion-like arthropod onwildlife in Georgiathan an actual scorpion.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
If you are stung by a scorpion, stay calm. The vast majority of stings cause only local pain and require no medical treatment. Remove any rings or tight bracelets from the affected area to prevent swelling-related circulation problems. Wash the area gently with soap and water. Keep the sting site elevated and immobilized to reduce pain. Applying a cool cloth may help with discomfort, though extreme cold is not recommended. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain. Most stings resolve within 24 hours. However, if you were stung by what might be an Arizona bark scorpion, or if symptoms worsen, seek medical evaluation. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe. Children, elderly individuals, and people with compromised health should receive medical attention more readily. You can also browseGeorgia wildlife.
How to prevent encounters
In Georgia, your risk of encountering a scorpion is virtually zero. However, if you travel to scorpion-prone regions, take sensible precautions. Shake out shoes, socks, and clothing before putting them on, as scorpions sometimes hide in dark spaces. Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants when hiking in known scorpion territory. Keep a flashlight handy at night if camping in the Southwest, since scorpions glow faintly under ultraviolet light and are most active after dark. Be cautious when moving rocks, woodpiles, or logs. Avoid reaching into dark spaces without looking first. Store clothing and bedding in sealed containers when camping. If you keep exotic pets, ensure scorpions cannot escape their enclosure. Inside your home, seal cracks and crevices, reduce humidity, and eliminate insect populations that attract scorpions. Check ourwildlife guidesfor information on actual Georgia arthropods to focus your attention on real local concerns.
Where in Georgia and when
Scorpions do not occur in Georgia. Their range is restricted to warm, arid, and semi-arid regions, primarily in the American Southwest. The established range includes much of Arizona, most of New Mexico, southern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern parts of Utah. Populations also exist in parts of Oklahoma, southern Kansas, and southern Arkansas. The southern Appalachian region and the coastal plain of Georgia are far too humid and have climates too variable for scorpions to establish permanent populations. While the state experiences warm summers, the combination of humidity, cooler winters, and abundant moisture makes Georgia unsuitable for scorpion survival. If you encounter a scorpion in Georgia, it would have come from a non-native source such as an escaped pet or a shipment of materials from the Southwest. The state's natural arthropod population remains rich with other spiders, centipedes, and insects, none of which pose the sting risk associated with scorpions.
Harmless lookalikes
Georgia hosts several arthropods that are sometimes mistaken for scorpions, though they pose no sting risk. Whip scorpions are perhaps the most commonly confused with true scorpions. These creatures have a long, thin tail-like appendage, but no stinger and no venom. They are completely harmless and even beneficial, feeding on small insects and other arthropods. Pseudoscorpions are tiny scorpion-like creatures, usually smaller than a grain of rice, with pincers but no tail or stinger. Many ground-dwelling spiders might also be confused with scorpions at first glance, especially if seen in low light. Larger spiders like wolf spiders sometimes trigger scorpion concerns, but they are easily distinguished by their body shape and lack of a curved stinger tail. Centipedes, particularly larger species, might seem scorpion-like due to their multiple legs and sometimes aggressive appearance, but they have an entirely different body structure. If you find an arthropod in Georgia that concerns you, the probability it is harmless is extremely high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scorpions deadly? Most US scorpion stings are not deadly. The Arizona bark scorpion is the most medically significant North American species, yet deaths are extremely rare and typically involve very young children or people with serious health conditions. With access to medical care and Poison Control support, serious outcomes from scorpion stings are uncommon. How common are scorpion stings in Georgia? Zero. Scorpions do not live in Georgia, so stings here are impossible unless you are harmed by an escaped exotic pet, which is extraordinarily rare. What attracts scorpions to a house? Scorpions are attracted to insects, which they hunt for food. Reducing insect populations, sealing cracks, and reducing moisture can help prevent scorpions in regions where they are established. In Georgia, scorpion-proofing is unnecessary. What should I do if I see one? In Georgia, inform a local pest control professional or wildlife management office, as a scorpion sighting would be highly unusual and worth documenting. If traveling in the Southwest, simply leave it alone and maintain distance. More information aboutGeorgia wildlifeand actual local species is readily available through wildlife agencies and regional guides.
Plan your scorpion sighting in Georgia
773 verified scorpion records have been logged in Georgia, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Georgia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Cumberland Island National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Pulaski National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Andersonville National Historic Site · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Georgia?+
Scorpions are not found in Georgia. These arachnids require warm, dry climates and are primarily established in the southwestern United States. The nearest scorpion populations occur in Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, and parts of Texas. Some species have spread to Nevada, Utah, southern Oklahoma, and the southern edges of Kansas and Arkansas, but Georgia's humid subtropical climate does not support established scorpion colonies. If you find something that looks like a scorpion in Georgia, it is almost certainly a harmless relative or a misidentification. While you might encounter a scorpion if you travel to the Southwest or Southwest-bound regions, finding one in Georgia would be extraordinarily rare and would likely have come from a shipment or escaped pet. Learn more on ourGeorgia wildlife guideto understand the actual arthropods you might encounter.
How dangerous is it?+
Scorpion danger varies by species. The bark scorpions of Arizona and the striped bark scorpion are the most medically significant in North America. A sting from most US scorpions is comparable to a bee or wasp sting, causing pain, redness, and mild swelling that resolve within hours or a few days. However, the Arizona bark scorpion can cause more serious effects including numbness, tingling, and muscle twitching, particularly in young children or people with heart conditions. Severe reactions are rare and deaths are extremely uncommon in the United States with access to medical care. For context, about 8,000 scorpion stings are reported to US poison centers annually, but serious outcomes are limited to very young children or people with compromised health. The sting itself is defensive, not aggressive. Scorpions will not seek you out and sting unless directly threatened or crushed. For more on scorpion in Georgia, see ourGeorgia scorpion guide.
More wildlife in Georgia