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Project Noah Nature School
Vaejovis carolinianus
1" long native scorpion
Bicentennial trail.
I got stung by one of these guys yesterday while turning rocks in search of herps. I saw something partially covered in earth, & hoping for a salamander I grabbed it by the tail - bad move! Luckily the scorpions in TN are not venomous to humans, though the sting did bring tears to my eyes for a few minutes. The scorpion is question escaped before I could get a photo (my "trigger finger" was way too sore in any case!) but I did find a few more later. And I can now impress my friends back home in the UK when I tell them I've been stung by a scorpion!
Spotted on Sep 23, 2012
Submitted on Sep 25, 2012
14 Comments
Lets shoot for Monday at the Cumberland trail. I tried to email, but the server failed.
Thank Emma, I only found one scorpion in Africa - a Red Roman I evicted from my bedroom! A little smaller but way more venomous than this little guy!
Great pic! The red mud must be reminescent of Africa for you.
Hi Jeff, we had a great day on the trail & I would like to get back there again over the next couple of weeks. Monday & Wednesday afternoon/evening work for me - you can email me at karen@projectnoah.com. Let me know when you would like to meet up & I'll see if Lisa is able to join us too.
I wish I hadn't of left so early. I'm going to have to go back to the trails in search of Scorpions now:) Let me know when you plan to come back to Ashland City and hopefully I can meet up with you again. I'm usually available on Monday's thru Wednesdays and some weekends.
Emma, I didn't manage to get a shot of the one that got me, but luckily found more over the course of the afternoon. I hadn't noticed the mites!
I did know there was the possibility of scorpions Emma but didn't expect to actually find one!
Wilsons, the TN species are thankfully a lot less dangerous than the Western species!
it is amazing that you had the presence of mind to continue taking pictures!!
Looks like it is covered with red mites?
It was probably unexpected? So used to the ideas of snakes and spiders ,that we forget the third "S" , Scorpion,because it is not so commonly talked about.
" S" for Scary too!
Wow! Guess I will start to be more careful. I watched for them in Arizona, but had no idea they were here in TN! Neat stuff!
Thanks Gerardo! About the same as a wasp sting I would say, & not as long-lasting.
Wow this guys are painful i´m glad you are OK great shot by the way :):)
It was actually quite funny in a bizarre kind of way - & luckily I was carrying hydrocortisone cream with me, as I'm also covered in a rash from wading through poison ivy while wearing shorts earlier in the week. I think I need to stay indoors for a bit - it's far too dangerous out there!
Scary experience!