Are There Scorpions in Oregon?
No, scorpions are not established in Oregon. The state's cool, wet climate is unsuitable for scorpion survival. Scorpions live in the southwestern United States, primarily in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and parts of Texas. If you find a scorpion-like creature in Oregon, it is almost certainly a harmless insect.
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
- 817
- GBIF records
Yes, scorpions are in Oregon. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
3 types of scorpions recorded in Oregon
3 scorpion species have a verified observation record in Oregon, 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
- No openly licensed photo yet3
Plus 3 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
No, scorpions are not established in Oregon. The state's cool, wet climate is unsuitable for scorpion survival. Scorpions live in the southwestern United States, primarily in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and parts of Texas. If you find a scorpion-like creature in Oregon, it is almost certainly a harmless insect.
Are they in Oregon?
Scorpions do not live in Oregon. The state's temperate rainforest climate, with cool temperatures and high rainfall, is far too wet and cold for scorpion populations to establish. Scorpions require warm, arid environments and are found naturally only in the southwestern desert regions of the United States. The closest scorpion populations live in Nevada, Utah, and northeastern California, hundreds of miles south and east of Oregon. If you encounter a creature you think might be a scorpion in Oregon, it is almost certainly a harmless pseudoscorpion, earwig, or other arthropod. The reassuring answer is simply no. YourScorpion in Oregonpage confirms what many residents suspect: they are not a concern in this state.
How dangerous is it?
Since scorpions do not occur in Oregon, there is no danger from scorpion stings in the state. However, understanding scorpion danger elsewhere can help if you travel to regions where they do live. Most North American scorpions, especially those outside Arizona, cause minor stings similar to wasp stings: localized pain, redness, and swelling lasting hours to a few days. The striped bark scorpion, found in parts of California and Nevada, is the only species in the western United States with venom potent enough to cause systemic symptoms in humans. Even then, serious medical outcomes are extremely rare, particularly in healthy adults. For more safety information about dangerous wildlife, explorewildlifeguides and know what to expect when traveling west.
How to recognize one
If you are traveling to southwestern states, scorpions are unmistakable once you know what to look for. They have eight legs, large front pincers (pedipalps), and a curved tail with a stinger on the tip. Most North American scorpions are brown or tan and range from 2 to 4 inches long. They hide during the day in dark, cool places like under rocks, inside woodpiles, beneath bark, in shoes, and under leaf litter. At night, they hunt for insects. Scorpions do not pursue humans and only sting when crushed or threatened. If you see one in a southwestern region, stay calm and move away slowly. Do not attempt to grab or handle it, and do not try to kill it by crushing it with your bare hands. For more on scorpion in Oregon, see ourOregon scorpion guide.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
Since scorpions do not live in Oregon, the risk of being stung in the state is zero. However, if you travel to the Southwest and are stung, remain calm. Sit down and keep the stung area still. Remove any rings, bracelets, or tight clothing near the sting site, as swelling may occur. Wash the area gently with soap and water. Apply a cool compress if available. Do not immerse the sting in ice or ice water, as extreme cold can damage tissue. Seek medical attention if pain is severe, if you develop swelling beyond the sting site, or if you experience any unusual symptoms. 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. Medical professionals can provide appropriate care and antivenom if needed. You can also browseOregon wildlife.
How to prevent encounters
Oregon residents do not need to worry about scorpion prevention because scorpions do not live here. However, if you travel to southwestern states where scorpions are present, a few simple steps reduce your risk. Wear closed-toe shoes when hiking or walking in the dark, especially in desert or scrubby terrain. Before putting on shoes you have not worn recently, shake them out thoroughly or tap them upside down on the ground. Do not reach into dark spaces, woodpiles, or rocky crevices without looking first. When camping in the Southwest, keep your sleeping bag off the ground and sealed, and shake out your tent and gear before packing up. Avoid walking barefoot in the dark in scorpion country. Seal cracks and gaps around doors and windows if staying in a southwestern home. Inspect the inside of coolers and bags before reaching in.
Where in Oregon and when
Scorpions do not occur anywhere in Oregon at any time of year. The state's climate is entirely unsuitable for scorpion establishment. Oregon's wet, cool conditions, with coastal and mountain rainfall throughout the year and winter temperatures that often drop below freezing, create an impossible habitat for these heat-loving arachnids. Scorpions are found only in warm, dry regions of North America, primarily across the desert Southwest. Their actual range spans Arizona, California, New Mexico, parts of Texas, Nevada, Utah, southern Colorado, and limited areas of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. The nearest scorpion populations to Oregon are in the eastern regions of California and Nevada, over 350 miles away. If you live in Oregon and are concerned about encountering scorpions, you can rest assured that localwildlife in Oregonwill never include them.
Harmless lookalikes
Oregon has several creatures that people sometimes mistake for scorpions, but all of them are completely harmless. The most common confusion is with pseudoscorpions, tiny arachnids that look like scorpions but lack the tail and stinger. They are about the size of a grain of rice and are found under bark, in leaf litter, and sometimes in homes. Pseudoscorpions feed on small insects and mites and pose no threat to humans. Earwigs are another common scorpion look-alike, with pincers (cerci) on the rear end that resemble scorpion stingers. However, earwigs cannot sting humans and are mostly harmless garden insects. Whip scorpions, found in southern Oregon, have a long, whip-like tail but no stinger and are not dangerous. If you find a creature in Oregon that resembles a scorpion, it is almost certainly one of these harmless relatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scorpions deadly? Most North American scorpions are not deadly. Only one species, the Arizona bark scorpion, has venom strong enough to occasionally cause serious medical effects in humans, and deaths are extremely rare even from that species with modern medical care. How common are scorpion stings in Oregon? Scorpion stings do not occur in Oregon because scorpions do not live here. The state has no scorpion population and no history of established scorpions. What attracts scorpions to a house? Scorpions enter buildings seeking shelter and hunting insects that live indoors. However, this is only a concern in southwestern states. What should I do if I see one? If you see a scorpion while traveling in the Southwest, simply move away from it slowly. Do not attempt to capture, kill, or handle it. Leave it alone and it will leave you alone. If stung, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. For more information, seeour wildlife guides.
Plan your scorpion sighting in Oregon
817 verified scorpion records have been logged in Oregon. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Nez Perce National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Oregon?+
Scorpions do not live in Oregon. The state's temperate rainforest climate, with cool temperatures and high rainfall, is far too wet and cold for scorpion populations to establish. Scorpions require warm, arid environments and are found naturally only in the southwestern desert regions of the United States. The closest scorpion populations live in Nevada, Utah, and northeastern California, hundreds of miles south and east of Oregon. If you encounter a creature you think might be a scorpion in Oregon, it is almost certainly a harmless pseudoscorpion, earwig, or other arthropod. The reassuring answer is simply no. YourScorpion in Oregonpage confirms what many residents suspect: they are not a concern in this state.
How dangerous is it?+
Since scorpions do not occur in Oregon, there is no danger from scorpion stings in the state. However, understanding scorpion danger elsewhere can help if you travel to regions where they do live. Most North American scorpions, especially those outside Arizona, cause minor stings similar to wasp stings: localized pain, redness, and swelling lasting hours to a few days. The striped bark scorpion, found in parts of California and Nevada, is the only species in the western United States with venom potent enough to cause systemic symptoms in humans. Even then, serious medical outcomes are extremely rare, particularly in healthy adults. For more safety information about dangerous wildlife, explorewildlifeguides and know what to expect when traveling west.
More wildlife in Oregon