and New Mexico. These scorpions would primarily be found outside during the night time due to them being nocturnal creatures. Centruroides are commonly found burrowed or hidden under rock, bark, or natural caves in the earth. Scorpions have been known to find their way inside of residential houses but this is uncommon and rare due to the Centruroides having poor eyesight. While the Baja California bark scorpion is harder, but not impossible, to come by as a pet, there a many other species of the Centruroides that are commonly available as pets. Venom Centruroides exilicauda use venom to hunt by injecting the prey which immobilizes or kills it. Their venom has the potential to be fatal to humans. However, the chances of this happening are low. Each scorpion species’ venom has a unique chromatographic profile, due to genetic factors distinct in each species. The genetic differences in venom are important for determining different species of scorpions since their morphology can be almost indistinguishable. In 2004, the existence of the C. exilicauda species was confirmed when the venom from them and the venom from their close relative, Centruroides sculpturatus, were tested and found to have different toxicity levels. The soluble venom of C. exilicauda and C. sculpturatus were extracted and the amino acid sequences concerning toxins were tested in mice. They showed that the venom from C. exilicauda was a less common medical threat. In humans, the venom of the California bark scorpion may cause difficulty breathing or muscle spasms. Habitat The Baja California bark scorpion is often found in cool moist areas, such as creek, stream, or lakeside environments. Centruroides exilicauda commonly hides beneath tree bark, in rock crevices or other ground cover as it shelters from daily heat. Centruroides scorpions are capable of climbing and negative geotaxis, in which they cling upside down to surfaces. This scorpion may be found sheltering in homes or other constructed environments. References Buthidae Endemic fauna of the Baja California Peninsula Endemic scorpions of Mexico Animals described in 1863