Are There Scorpions in Pennsylvania?
No, scorpions do not live in Pennsylvania. The state's humid continental climate, with cold winters and moderate summers, is completely unsuitable for scorpion survival. Scorpions are found only in warm, arid regions of the southwestern United States. Pennsylvania residents need not worry about scorpion stings. They simply do not occur here.
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
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Scorpions aren't established in Pennsylvania, so you might be wondering:
No, scorpions do not live in Pennsylvania. The state's humid continental climate, with cold winters and moderate summers, is completely unsuitable for scorpion survival. Scorpions are found only in warm, arid regions of the southwestern United States. Pennsylvania residents need not worry about scorpion stings. They simply do not occur here.
Are they in Pennsylvania?
Scorpions are not established in Pennsylvania. The state's temperate climate with cold winters, significant snowfall, and year-round humidity creates an impossible habitat for scorpions. These arachnids require warm, dry desert or semi-arid environments and cannot survive in Pennsylvania's conditions. Scorpions are found naturally only in the southwestern United States, primarily in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and western Texas. The nearest established scorpion populations to Pennsylvania are in southern Nevada and Arizona, over 1,500 miles away. Pennsylvania has never had a confirmed breeding population of scorpions. If a resident encounters something resembling a scorpion, it is almost certainly a misidentified harmless creature. You can checkScorpion in Pennsylvaniato confirm they are not a concern for your region.
How dangerous is it?
Since scorpions do not occur in Pennsylvania, there is no danger from scorpion stings in the state. However, understanding scorpion venom can help travelers or those relocating to the Southwest. Most North American scorpions deliver a sting roughly comparable to a wasp sting: painful, with localized redness and swelling that typically resolves within 24 to 72 hours. The Arizona bark scorpion is the exception, with venom that can occasionally cause systemic symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or mild muscle twitching in humans. Even so, serious medical consequences are rare, and deaths from any North American scorpion sting are extremely uncommon, particularly in healthy adults with access to modern medical care. To learn about regional safety before traveling, checkwildliferesources for other states.
How to recognize one
Although scorpions do not live in Pennsylvania, recognizing them can be useful if you travel to southwestern states. Scorpions are distinctive arachnids with eight legs, a pair of large front pincers called pedipalps, and a curved tail tipped with a stinger. North American scorpions are typically brown, tan, or reddish and range from 2 to 4 inches in length. They are nocturnal and hide during daylight hours in dark, cool places such as under rocks, inside woodpiles, beneath tree bark, in shoes, under mattresses, and inside dark drawers or cabinets. Scorpions do not hunt large prey and will not pursue humans. They only sting when directly threatened or crushed. If you see one in a southwestern region, stay calm and move away slowly without attempting to touch or kill it.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
Pennsylvania residents will not encounter scorpions in the state, so the risk of being stung at home is zero. However, if you travel to the Southwest and are stung, stay calm. Sit or lie down and keep the stung area immobilized to slow venom spread. Remove any rings, bracelets, or tight clothing near the sting site, as swelling may develop. Gently wash the area with soap and water. A cool (not cold) compress may provide comfort. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, soak the area in ice water, or attempt any field treatment. Do not use tourniquets, cut the wound, or apply suction. Seek medical attention if pain is severe, swelling extends beyond the immediate area, or you develop 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. Poison Control specialists can advise on appropriate care.
How to prevent encounters
Pennsylvania residents do not need to take scorpion prevention measures because scorpions do not live in the state. However, if you travel to or relocate to a southwestern state, prevention is straightforward. Wear closed-toe shoes when outdoors, especially at night or when walking in desert, rocky, or scrubby terrain. Shake out shoes, clothing, and bedding before using them, as scorpions sometimes shelter in these items. Check the inside of bags, coolers, and gear before reaching in blindly. When camping in scorpion country, keep your sleeping bag sealed and elevated off the ground. Before entering a tent, shake it out and inspect corners and folds. Seal gaps around doors and windows in homes located in scorpion regions. Use caulk or weatherstripping to close openings. Keep interior spaces clean and eliminate hiding spots like piles of clutter, boxes, and stacked items.
Where in Pennsylvania and when
Scorpions do not occur anywhere in Pennsylvania at any time of year. The state's climate entirely lacks the conditions necessary for scorpion survival. Pennsylvania experiences four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters where temperatures regularly drop well below freezing, spring and fall with moderate temperatures, and summers with moderate heat and high humidity. Humidity is particularly unsuitable for scorpions, which are adapted to arid and semi-arid climates. Scorpions are active only in warm temperatures and are found only across the southwestern United States. Their primary range includes Arizona, California, New Mexico, and parts of Texas, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. If you live in Pennsylvania and are interested in understanding the state's actualwildlife in Pennsylvania, you can be assured that scorpions will never be among them.
Harmless lookalikes
Pennsylvania is home to several creatures that uninformed people sometimes mistake for scorpions, though all are completely harmless. Pseudoscorpions are the most common confusion. These tiny arachnids, typically no more than a quarter-inch long, resemble miniature scorpions but lack the conspicuous tail and stinger. They feed on small insects and mites and are often found in books, leaf litter, and bark. Pseudoscorpions pose no threat to humans. Earwigs are another scorpion look-alike, with pincers (cerci) on their rear end that superficially resemble a scorpion tail. However, earwigs cannot sting humans and are harmless garden insects. Some people also confuse larger spider species with scorpions, though spiders have a different body shape and lack the prominent pincers. If you find a creature in Pennsylvania that you think might be 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 the Arizona bark scorpion has venom potent enough to occasionally cause systemic effects in humans, and deaths from any scorpion sting remain extremely rare in North America with access to medical care. How common are scorpion stings in Pennsylvania? Scorpion stings never occur in Pennsylvania because scorpions do not live in the state. There are no established scorpion populations, and the climate is unsuitable for them. What attracts scorpions to a house? In southwestern regions where scorpions occur, they enter buildings hunting for insects and seeking shelter. This is not a concern in Pennsylvania. What should I do if I see one? If you see a scorpion while traveling in the Southwest, calmly move away and leave it alone. Do not attempt to capture or kill it. If stung, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. For more about regional safety, exploreour wildlife guidesandwildlife in Pennsylvania.
Plan your scorpion sighting in Pennsylvania
There are no verified scorpion records for Pennsylvania, which fits how uncommon they are here. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Pennsylvania?+
Scorpions are not established in Pennsylvania. The state's temperate climate with cold winters, significant snowfall, and year-round humidity creates an impossible habitat for scorpions. These arachnids require warm, dry desert or semi-arid environments and cannot survive in Pennsylvania's conditions. Scorpions are found naturally only in the southwestern United States, primarily in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and western Texas. The nearest established scorpion populations to Pennsylvania are in southern Nevada and Arizona, over 1,500 miles away. Pennsylvania has never had a confirmed breeding population of scorpions. If a resident encounters something resembling a scorpion, it is almost certainly a misidentified harmless creature. You can checkScorpion in Pennsylvaniato confirm they are not a concern for your region.
How dangerous is it?+
Since scorpions do not occur in Pennsylvania, there is no danger from scorpion stings in the state. However, understanding scorpion venom can help travelers or those relocating to the Southwest. Most North American scorpions deliver a sting roughly comparable to a wasp sting: painful, with localized redness and swelling that typically resolves within 24 to 72 hours. The Arizona bark scorpion is the exception, with venom that can occasionally cause systemic symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or mild muscle twitching in humans. Even so, serious medical consequences are rare, and deaths from any North American scorpion sting are extremely uncommon, particularly in healthy adults with access to modern medical care. To learn about regional safety before traveling, checkwildliferesources for other states.
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