Are There Scorpions in Tennessee?
No, scorpions do not live in Tennessee. The state's humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters does not match scorpion requirements. These arachnids need hot, dry desert conditions and are found only in the southwestern United States. Tennessee residents have zero risk of scorpion stings in their state.
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
- 3
- species recorded
- 535
- GBIF records
- June, May, April
- peak months
Yes, scorpions are in Tennessee. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
2 types of scorpions recorded in Tennessee
2 scorpion species have a verified observation record in Tennessee, 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
Plus 1 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
647 verified observations on iNaturalist of scorpion have been recorded in Tennessee, most often in June, May, April.
When scorpion are recorded in Tennessee
No, scorpions do not live in Tennessee. The state's humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters does not match scorpion requirements. These arachnids need hot, dry desert conditions and are found only in the southwestern United States. Tennessee residents have zero risk of scorpion stings in their state.
Are they in Tennessee?
Scorpions are not established in Tennessee. The state's humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and substantial rainfall throughout the year, is unsuitable for scorpion survival. While Tennessee does have warm summers, the consistent humidity and abundant rainfall create conditions opposite to the arid environments scorpions require. Scorpions are found naturally only in the southwestern desert regions of the United States, primarily in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and western Texas. The nearest scorpion populations to Tennessee are in the deserts of Arizona and southern New Mexico, over 1,200 miles away. Tennessee has never recorded established scorpion populations. If you find something resembling a scorpion in Tennessee, it is certainly a misidentified harmless creature. ConsultScorpion in Tennesseefor reassurance about your state.
How dangerous is it?
Since scorpions do not live in Tennessee, there is no danger from scorpion stings in your state. However, understanding scorpion venom can be valuable for travelers. Most North American scorpions deliver a sting similar to a wasp sting: painful with localized redness and swelling lasting hours to a few days. The Arizona bark scorpion, found in parts of Arizona and California, is the only North American species with venom capable of occasionally causing systemic symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or muscle twitching. Even from this species, serious medical effects are uncommon, and deaths from any North American scorpion sting are extremely rare in the modern era. Healthy adults with access to medical care face minimal serious risk. Reviewwildlifesafety information before traveling west to be prepared.
How to recognize one
Although scorpions do not live in Tennessee, recognizing them can be useful if you travel to southwestern states. Scorpions are distinctly shaped arachnids with eight legs, large front pincers (pedipalps), and a curved tail with a stinger at the tip. North American scorpions are typically brown, tan, or rust-colored and range from 2 to 4 inches in length. They are nocturnal hunters and hide during daylight in dark, cool places such as under rocks, inside bark, in woodpiles, beneath debris, in shoes, and inside dark storage areas. Scorpions do not pursue humans and only sting when directly threatened or accidentally crushed. They cannot climb smooth walls. If you encounter a scorpion in a southwestern region, stay calm and move slowly away. Do not attempt to touch, capture, or kill it.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
Tennessee residents will not encounter scorpions in the state, making it impossible to be stung at home. However, if stung while traveling in the Southwest, remain calm and follow these steps. Sit or lie down immediately and keep the stung area as still as possible to minimize venom spread. Remove any rings, bracelets, or tight clothing near the sting site to prevent circulation problems from swelling. Gently wash the area with soap and water. A cool compress, not ice, may provide some comfort. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, soak 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, if swelling spreads beyond the immediate area, 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.
How to prevent encounters
Tennessee 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 brush-covered terrain. Shake out shoes, clothing, and bedding before using them, as scorpions sometimes hide in these items. Inspect 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 on a cot or hammock. Shake out tents thoroughly before entering. In homes in scorpion regions, seal cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and utility pipes. Maintain a clean interior and eliminate piles of clutter that could provide hiding places for scorpions.
Where in Tennessee and when
Scorpions do not occur anywhere in Tennessee at any time of year. The state's humid subtropical climate is uniformly unsuitable for scorpion establishment. Tennessee experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85 degrees Fahrenheit, mild winters with occasional freezing, and substantial rainfall throughout the year. This persistent humidity and rainfall creates conditions opposite to the dry desert environment scorpions require. Scorpions need arid conditions with low humidity and cannot thrive in humid climates. Scorpions are found naturally only in warm, arid regions of the southwestern United States. Their primary range includes Arizona, California, New Mexico, western Texas, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. If you want to learn about the state's actualwildlife in Tennessee, scorpions will never be part of it.
Harmless lookalikes
Tennessee has several creatures that people occasionally mistake for scorpions, though all are completely harmless. Pseudoscorpions are the most common confusion. These tiny arachnids, usually less than a quarter-inch long, resemble miniature scorpions but lack the visible tail and stinger. They are found under bark, in leaf litter, soil, and sometimes in homes, where they hunt small insects and mites. Pseudoscorpions are entirely harmless to humans. Earwigs are another scorpion look-alike, with pincers (cerci) on their rear end that might suggest a scorpion tail. However, earwigs cannot sting humans and are harmless garden insects common throughout Tennessee. Some larger spiders might be mistaken for scorpions by the unfamiliar observer, though their body proportions are different. If you find an arthropod in Tennessee that resembles a scorpion, it is almost certainly one of these harmless residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scorpions deadly? Most North American scorpions are not deadly to humans. Only the Arizona bark scorpion has venom potent enough to occasionally cause systemic effects, and deaths from any scorpion sting remain extremely rare. How common are scorpion stings in Tennessee? Scorpion stings do not occur in Tennessee because scorpions do not live in the state. There is zero risk of being stung at home. What attracts scorpions to a house? In southwestern states where scorpions live, they enter buildings hunting for insects and seeking shelter from extreme heat. This is not a concern in Tennessee. 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. Visitour wildlife guidesandwildlife in Tennesseefor more safety tips.
Plan your trip
Best time to see scorpion in Tennessee: June, May, April
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your scorpion sighting in Tennessee
535 verified scorpion records have been logged in Tennessee, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Tennessee
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Natchez Trace Parkway · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Obed Wild & Scenic River · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Tennessee?+
Scorpions are not established in Tennessee. The state's humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and substantial rainfall throughout the year, is unsuitable for scorpion survival. While Tennessee does have warm summers, the consistent humidity and abundant rainfall create conditions opposite to the arid environments scorpions require. Scorpions are found naturally only in the southwestern desert regions of the United States, primarily in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and western Texas. The nearest scorpion populations to Tennessee are in the deserts of Arizona and southern New Mexico, over 1,200 miles away. Tennessee has never recorded established scorpion populations. If you find something resembling a scorpion in Tennessee, it is certainly a misidentified harmless creature. ConsultScorpion in Tennesseefor reassurance about your state.
How dangerous is it?+
Since scorpions do not live in Tennessee, there is no danger from scorpion stings in your state. However, understanding scorpion venom can be valuable for travelers. Most North American scorpions deliver a sting similar to a wasp sting: painful with localized redness and swelling lasting hours to a few days. The Arizona bark scorpion, found in parts of Arizona and California, is the only North American species with venom capable of occasionally causing systemic symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or muscle twitching. Even from this species, serious medical effects are uncommon, and deaths from any North American scorpion sting are extremely rare in the modern era. Healthy adults with access to medical care face minimal serious risk. Reviewwildlifesafety information before traveling west to be prepared.
More wildlife in Tennessee