A scorpion is part of the arachnid family, which also includes
mites, ticks, and spiders. Scorpions are about 3 inches long
(about the length of a crayon), with eight legs and a small pair
of claws that look like crabs' claws. A scorpion's stinger is at
the end of its long tail. There are more than 1,000 species of
scorpions all over the world, and at least 70 species are found
in the United States, mostly in the southwestern states and
Florida. Of these species, only one type of scorpion, which
usually lives in Arizona, New Mexico, and other southwestern
states, can kill people. Scorpions like to live in cool, damp
places like basements, woodpiles, and junk piles. Usually,
they're nocturnal (they sleep during the day and come out at
night) and more active when it rains. What a Sting Looks and
Feels Like If a person gets stung by a scorpion, the area of the
sting will hurt and may get swollen or red, depending on the
type of scorpion. More severe reactions from the venom (poison)
involving other parts of the