The state of Texas is home to 18 species of scorpions. The only one that lives throughout the entire state is the striped bark scorpion, which is also the most common species in the Texas Hill Country. In 2018, there was an increase in calls due to scorpion interactions with humans in the Lone Star State. They’re nocturnal and tend to hide throughout the day, becoming more active at night, according to AgriLife Extension Service entomologist Wizzie Brown of Travis County. But what happens when you get a sting from a striped bark scorpion?
Brown said that while this type of scorpion is capable of stinging, it normally only results in moderate reactions in humans, and that their poison has very little effect on our nervous system. “Usually it’s sufficient to apply ice packs on the area where the sting occurred to reduce pain and swelling,” she explained to Texas A&M Today. “But the severity of the sting is dependent upon the individual scorpion and the person’s reaction to the venom.” Anyone who suffers a scorpion sting should be monitored closely for several hours after the sting in case an allergic reaction occurs. Seek immediate medical assistance if their breathing becomes troubled or they develop hives.
Video: YouTube/HISTORY
In the TV series “Kings of Pain,” now in its first season on the History channel, hosts Rob “Caveman” Aleva and Adam Thorn went to South Africa to purposely incur bites and stings from creatures to register on a human pain scale. In the clip above from their episode entitled “Stinging Punishment,” they both endured stings by a giant Bark Scorpion and a smaller Uroplectes Scorpion. Keep in mind that these individuals were filmed for this purpose and had immediate medical attention, if required, on hand to manage adverse reactions. Ahead of each episode, they identify what species they will be working with and what the purpose of their interaction is.
According to the History channel, the show “…follows wildlife biologist Adam Thorn and professional animal handler Rob ‘Caveman’ Alleva as they get bit and stung by some of the most dangerous animals and vicious stinging insects in the world – from a reticulated python to a rove beetle – to create a complete and comprehensive pain index that will ultimately help save lives.” Regardless of the filming locale and the creatures on the episode, readers are reminded again that this is a show filmed for television, and that the species they encounter are not similar to nor in the same circumstances as the type of critters we have here in the Lone Star State. Their reactions and the subsequent pain they experience are for the purposes of their show. That being said, it’s not recommended that you purposely look for a striped bark scorpion here in Texas in order to determine what your personal pain index is. The best course of action is to simply avoid these creatures as best as possible.
