Arizona Venomous Animals
Reviewed and updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on .
Arizona is home to a diverse group of venomous animals, including rattlesnakes, bark scorpions, black widow spiders, native recluse spiders, Gila monsters and giant desert centipedes. These animals live in habitats ranging from Sonoran Desert washes and rocky foothills to wooded mountain areas, residential yards and buildings. Most avoid people and bite or sting only when threatened, trapped or accidentally disturbed. Learning how to identify Arizona's venomous wildlife, avoid close encounters and respond appropriately to a bite or sting can help residents, hikers, campers and visitors explore the state more safely.
Venomous Versus Poisonous Animals
Venomous and poisonous do not mean exactly the same thing. Venom is delivered through a bite, sting or specialized structure, while poison causes harm when it is swallowed, inhaled, touched or otherwise absorbed. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, Gila monsters and certain spiders are venomous because they deliver venom directly into another animal or person. This page focuses on Arizona animals that can deliver venom through bites or stings.
- Common Venomous Animals
- Venomous Spiders
- Arizona Scorpions
- Venomous Snakes
- Gila Monsters
- Desert Centipedes
- Avoiding Bites And Stings
- What To Do If Bitten Or Stung
- FAQ
Most Common Venomous Animals In Arizona
Arizona's best-known venomous animals include rattlesnakes, bark scorpions, black widow spiders, native recluse spiders, Gila monsters and giant desert centipedes. Encounters are most common during warmer weather, although activity varies by species, elevation and habitat. Desert and foothill areas generally support the greatest variety, but rattlesnakes and some spiders also occur in Arizona's mountain regions.
Venom is used primarily to capture prey and sometimes as a defense against threats. Most animals would rather retreat than confront a person. Serious injuries are uncommon when wildlife is left alone, but any suspected envenomation should be treated seriously and evaluated with guidance from a medical professional or poison-control specialist.
Arizona is home to many venomous creatures. But most reside in the Southwest desert regions. Rarely will they be encountered at the high elevations of Northern or Northeastern Arizona although Timber Rattlesnakes do inhabit those areas. Although venom can cause serious and dangerous medical problems, the dangers are not nearly as horrifying as portrayed. There have been few deaths attributed to venomous animals in Arizona.
Venomous Snakes, Scorpions and Spiders
Most species of venomous animals use their venom primarily for subduing and killing prey and also use that weapon as a defense when threatened. A bite or sting from most venomous animals result in nothing more than a physical discomfort than a serious medical emergency. But some species do have powerful venom that could be dangerously life threatening particularly for babies, the elderly and the unhealthy.
Venomous Spiders In Arizona
Black widow spiders and native recluse spiders are the Arizona spiders of greatest medical concern. Both generally avoid people and usually bite only when pressed against the skin, trapped in clothing or disturbed in a sheltered location.
Adult female black widows have glossy black bodies and commonly display a red or orange hourglass-shaped marking beneath the abdomen. They often build irregular webs in protected places such as woodpiles, garages, storage areas, outdoor furniture and utility boxes.
The true brown recluse is not considered a normal Arizona resident. Arizona does, however, have native recluse species, including the Arizona recluse and desert recluse. Identification based only on color or a violin-shaped marking can be unreliable, so suspected medically significant spider bites should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Arizona tarantulas may appear intimidating, but their venom is generally mild. Their abdominal hairs can also irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system when released defensively. Tarantulas should be observed from a distance and left undisturbed.
Arizona Scorpions
All scorpions produce venom, but the effects of a sting vary by species and individual sensitivity. Arizona scorpions use the stinger at the end of the tail to subdue prey and defend themselves. Many stings cause localized pain, tingling or numbness that improves without hospital treatment.
The Arizona bark scorpion is the state's scorpion of greatest medical concern. Its sting can cause severe pain, numbness, muscle twitching, abnormal eye movements, difficulty swallowing or breathing and other neurological symptoms. Young children are particularly vulnerable. Call the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate guidance after a suspected bark scorpion sting. Call 911 for breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, seizures or other life-threatening symptoms.
Read more about Arizona bark scorpions.
Venomous Snakes In Arizona
Arizona supports about 15 species of rattlesnakes, more than any other state. Species distribution varies by elevation, vegetation and region. Western diamondback rattlesnakes are widely encountered in desert areas, while several other species occupy mountains, grasslands, canyons and specialized habitats.
Rattlesnake venom can cause severe pain, swelling, tissue injury, abnormal bleeding and other serious symptoms. Anyone bitten by a rattlesnake should seek emergency medical care immediately rather than waiting for symptoms to develop. Do not capture or kill the snake; a photograph taken from a safe distance may help with identification, but treatment should never be delayed.
The Sonoran coral snake is another venomous Arizona species. It is small, secretive and rarely involved in bites. Its red, yellow and black banding can resemble harmless species, so color rhymes should not be relied upon for identification. Never handle an unfamiliar snake.
Arizona Gila Monster
The Gila monster is a large, heavy-bodied venomous lizard native to Arizona and other parts of the Southwest. Its distinctive black body is patterned with orange, pink or yellow markings. Gila monsters spend much of their lives underground and are encountered most often during warm spring and early-summer conditions.
Gila monsters are slow-moving and do not chase people, but they may bite when handled, cornered or threatened. They deliver venom while maintaining a powerful chewing grip. Anyone bitten by a Gila monster should call 911 or seek emergency medical care and contact the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. Do not attempt to pull the animal off with bare hands.
Learn more about Gila monsters in Arizona.
Arizona Giant Desert Centipedes
Arizona Giant Desert Centipede. Creative CommonsSeveral centipede species occur in Arizona, including the large giant desert centipede. Centipedes have flattened segmented bodies, with one pair of legs attached to most body segments. The first pair of modified legs forms venom-delivering claws near the head.
A centipede bite can cause immediate pain, redness and swelling. Symptoms are usually localized and short-lived, but severe or persistent pain may require urgent medical evaluation. Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison-control guidance, particularly if symptoms are unusual, rapidly worsening or involve a young child or medically vulnerable person.
How To Avoid Venomous Animal Bites And Stings
- Watch where you place your hands and feet while hiking, climbing or moving rocks.
- Use a flashlight outdoors after dark.
- Wear sturdy shoes rather than sandals in desert and rocky areas.
- Shake out shoes, clothing, towels and sleeping bags before using them.
- Keep garages, patios and storage areas free of clutter.
- Do not reach into holes, woodpiles or dark spaces without looking first.
- Keep tents zipped and inspect bedding while camping.
- Never handle a rattlesnake, Gila monster, scorpion or unfamiliar spider.
- Give wildlife a clear escape route and move away slowly.
- Teach children to observe wild animals without touching them.
What To Do If Bitten Or Stung
The information on this page is provided for general awareness and should not be used to diagnose or treat a bite or sting. Call 911 for trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures, severe weakness or other life-threatening symptoms.
For a suspected rattlesnake bite, remain as calm and still as possible, remove rings or tight items near the affected area and seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Do not apply ice, cut the wound, attempt to suck out venom, use electric shock or apply a tourniquet.
For scorpion stings, spider bites, centipede bites or uncertain exposures, contact the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center for case-specific guidance. A suspected Gila monster bite should be evaluated at a medical facility.
Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center
1-800-222-1222
Available 24 hours a day
Arizona Venomous Animals FAQ
What is the most dangerous venomous animal in Arizona?
Risk depends on the circumstances, but rattlesnake bites can cause severe and potentially life-threatening injury. Arizona bark scorpion stings can also cause serious neurological symptoms, particularly in young children.
How many rattlesnake species live in Arizona?
Arizona has about 15 rattlesnake species, with distributions determined by elevation, habitat and region.
Are all Arizona scorpions dangerous?
All scorpions are venomous, but most Arizona species cause primarily localized pain. The Arizona bark scorpion is the species of greatest medical concern.
Does Arizona have brown recluse spiders?
The true brown recluse is not considered a normal Arizona resident. Arizona has several native recluse species, including the Arizona recluse and desert recluse.
Are Arizona tarantulas dangerous?
Arizona tarantulas are generally not dangerous to people, but they can bite and release irritating abdominal hairs when threatened.
Are Gila monsters aggressive?
Gila monsters are slow-moving and generally avoid people. Bites usually occur when the animal is handled, restrained or threatened.
When are venomous animals most active?
Many Arizona venomous animals are most active during warmer months, although activity varies by species, elevation, weather and time of day.
What should I do after a rattlesnake bite?
Call 911 and seek emergency medical care immediately. Remain calm, limit movement and do not use ice, a tourniquet, suction or an incision.
Who should I call about a bite or sting?
Call 911 for life-threatening symptoms. For poison-control guidance, call the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Arizona Animals
