Are There Scorpions in Vermont?
No, scorpions do not live in Vermont. The state's cold climate with long winters, freezing temperatures, and moderate summers is completely unsuitable for scorpions. These arachnids are found only in warm, arid regions of the southwestern United States. Vermont residents have zero risk of encountering scorpions.
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
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- GBIF records
Scorpions aren't established in Vermont, so you might be wondering:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
Only 0 verified observations on iNaturalist of scorpion have been logged in Vermont, which fits how rare they are in the state. That low number is itself the most honest answer to whether you are likely to see one here.
No, scorpions do not live in Vermont. The state's cold climate with long winters, freezing temperatures, and moderate summers is completely unsuitable for scorpions. These arachnids are found only in warm, arid regions of the southwestern United States. Vermont residents have zero risk of encountering scorpions.
Are they in Vermont?
Scorpions are not established in Vermont. The state's temperate continental climate, with long, cold winters where temperatures regularly drop well below freezing and substantial snowfall, is entirely unsuitable for scorpion survival. Scorpions require warm, arid desert or semi-arid environments and cannot tolerate prolonged cold or freezing conditions. 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 Vermont are over 2,000 miles away in the deserts of the Southwest. Vermont has never recorded established scorpion populations. If you find a creature resembling a scorpion in Vermont, it is certainly a misidentified harmless insect. CheckScorpion in Vermontfor reassurance.
How dangerous is it?
Since scorpions do not live in Vermont, there is no danger from scorpion stings in the state. However, understanding scorpion venom can be interesting 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 only in parts of Arizona and California, is the sole North American species with venom capable of occasionally causing systemic symptoms such as numbness or tingling. Even from this species, serious medical effects are uncommon, and deaths from any North American scorpion sting are extremely rare. Consultwildliferesources before traveling west to understand regional safety considerations.
How to recognize one
Although you will never encounter a scorpion in Vermont, 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 tipped with a stinger. North American scorpions are typically brown, tan, or reddish and range from 2 to 4 inches long. 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 move slowly and deliberately. If you encounter a scorpion in a southwestern region, stay calm and slowly move away.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
Vermont residents will not encounter scorpions in the state, so being stung at home is impossible. 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 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.
How to prevent encounters
Vermont 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 putting them on or getting into bed, as scorpions sometimes hide in these items. Inspect the inside of bags, coolers, boxes, 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 raised platform. Shake out tents thoroughly before entering. In homes in scorpion regions, seal cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and utility pipes. Keep interiors clean and avoid piles of items that provide hiding places.
Where in Vermont and when
Scorpions do not occur anywhere in Vermont at any time of year. The state's climate is uniformly unsuitable for scorpion establishment. Vermont experiences long, cold winters with temperatures regularly dropping well below zero Fahrenheit and substantial snowfall from December through March. Spring and fall bring highly variable temperatures, and summers are cool and moderate. The entire state remains too cold for scorpion survival throughout most of the year. Scorpions require warm, arid conditions and cannot thrive in Vermont's temperate continental climate. Scorpions are found naturally only in warm, arid regions of the southwestern United States, including Arizona, California, New Mexico, western Texas, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. If you want to learn aboutwildlife in Vermont, you can be assured scorpions will never be included.
Harmless lookalikes
Vermont 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 Vermont. Some larger spider species might be mistaken for scorpions by the unfamiliar observer, though their body proportions are quite different. If you find an arthropod in Vermont that resembles a scorpion, it is almost certainly one of these common 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 in North America. How common are scorpion stings in Vermont? Scorpion stings do not occur in Vermont 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 Vermont. 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. Learn more withour wildlife guidesand checkwildlife in Vermont.
Plan your scorpion sighting in Vermont
There are no verified scorpion records for Vermont, which fits how uncommon they are here. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Vermont
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- North Country National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Vermont?+
Scorpions are not established in Vermont. The state's temperate continental climate, with long, cold winters where temperatures regularly drop well below freezing and substantial snowfall, is entirely unsuitable for scorpion survival. Scorpions require warm, arid desert or semi-arid environments and cannot tolerate prolonged cold or freezing conditions. 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 Vermont are over 2,000 miles away in the deserts of the Southwest. Vermont has never recorded established scorpion populations. If you find a creature resembling a scorpion in Vermont, it is certainly a misidentified harmless insect. CheckScorpion in Vermontfor reassurance.
How dangerous is it?+
Since scorpions do not live in Vermont, there is no danger from scorpion stings in the state. However, understanding scorpion venom can be interesting 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 only in parts of Arizona and California, is the sole North American species with venom capable of occasionally causing systemic symptoms such as numbness or tingling. Even from this species, serious medical effects are uncommon, and deaths from any North American scorpion sting are extremely rare. Consultwildliferesources before traveling west to understand regional safety considerations.
More wildlife in Vermont