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9 Desert Creatures You Should Never Mess With in Arizona


A hiker’s paradise… and a critter’s playground.

When you hike through Arizona’s beautiful desert, you’re walking through one of North America’s most incredible outdoor habitats.

But between the slot canyons and mountain trails, there are critters that demand serious caution, especially these nine.

Note:

These creatures can be dangerous, but as long as you use common sense while exploring AZ and treat them respectfully, it’s not that to stay safe in this gorgeous state.

Black Widow Spider

These famous spiders with red hourglass marks live all across Arizona, especially around human buildings and campsites. The females (the dangerous ones) make messy webs in dark corners, woodpiles, and old animal holes. While their bite is dangerous, they rarely bite unless squeezed or trapped against your skin.

Arizona Bark Scorpion

The most dangerous scorpion you can encounter in Arizona is the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda), which is not only the most venomous scorpion in Arizona but also in the entire United States.

When it’s mealtime, they use their pincers to snatch up bugs and hit ‘em with a nasty sting. Try shining a UV light on ‘em, and they’ll glow up like a neon sign.

Rattlesnakes

Arizona’s desert is home to 13 species of rattlesnakes, more than any other US state.

The Mojave Rattle has the deadliest bite, with the highest concentrations in the flatlands and desert grasslands of southern Arizona.

The Western Diamondback is the largest with venom that can destroy tissue and blood at the molecular level. Tiger Rattlesnakes near Tucson are small and shy but one of the most venomous snakes in the Sonoran Desert.

The key to staying safe? Stick to clear trails, wear high boots, and if you hear a rattle, freeze, locate the snake, then back away slowly. Most bites happen when people try to handle or kill them so just leave them be.

Velvet Ant (Cow Killer)

Despite the name, these aren’t really ants but wingless wasps.

Female velvet ants have one of the most painful stings of any insect hence their nickname “cow killer” (though they can’t actually kill a cow).

They’re most active during hot summer days. The good news is they’re easy to spot with their bright red color, and they’ll leave you alone if you don’t step on them.

Tiger Centipede

These striped hunters prowl the rocky areas all across Arizona, growing up to 8 inches long or as big as your hand. They sport a dark body with a reddish head and yellow-orange legs, plus two dark stripes running down their back that give them their “tiger” nickname.

Tiger centipedes are venomous and use modified legs called forcipules to inject venom into their prey. Though they look scary, they’d rather flee than bite.

Africanized Honey Bees

These super-defensive bees live throughout lower-elevation areas in Arizona.

Unlike regular honey bees, they guard their hives fiercely and will chase you much farther if they feel threatened. Watch for bees going in and out of holes in the ground or dead cacti, as these might be nests.

If you spot a swarm or hear intense buzzing, walk away calmly. If they attack, cover your face and run in a straight line to the nearest building or vehicle. Don’t swat at them or jump in the water because they’ll wait for you to come up for air.

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are fairly common in Arizona, though only about 10% of brown recluse bites lead to significant tissue damage. Most heal well without medical intervention.

Like most creatures in this list, these spiders won’t go out of their way to harm you. As long as you’re careful (shake out your garments, store gear in sealed containers, etc.), these spiders are more than happy to leave you alone.

Sonoran Coral Snake

You’ll find these colorful snakes in southern Arizona’s desert areas, often in rocky spots or leafy areas. They’re pretty small and have bright red, yellow, and black bands.

While they have dangerous venom, they rarely bite people because they’re shy and have small mouths. Most bites happen when people try to pick them up.

Remember: If the red bands touch yellow bands, it’s a coral snake. If red touches black, it’s a harmless kingsnake.

Kissing Bugs (Conenose Bugs)

At about an inch long and dark brown-black with orange or red stripes on their edges, they look like large stink bugs. While their bites may go unnoticed at first, repeated exposure can trigger severe allergic reactions.

Some hikers develop life-threatening responses that get worse with each bite. They’re most active on warm nights and are drawn to lights and carbon dioxide from your breath. You’ll often find them near packrat nests and rocky outcrops.

The post 9 Desert Creatures You Should Never Mess With in Arizona appeared first on When In Your State.



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