Will That Vinegarroon Hurt Me? Arizona’s Unbelievably Freaky Creature

What in the [expletive deleted] is THAT???!!!

I think I said those words about twenty times a week when I first moved to Arizona. My biggest concerns about the creepy-crawly-freakish-nightmares that crossed my path were:

1. Is it going to sting/poison/hurt me?
2. Same question as number 1, but applied to my pets.
3. How in the world did that get into my house?
4. What in the Holy Freak of Nature is that thing???

What is That Flat Scorpion-Like Bug in Arizona?

I found scorpions, tarantulas, and sun spiders in some of the most unlikely places in my house, and it did not make me happy. However, it wasn't difficult to figure out what they were.

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There was one creature that stopped me in my tracks. It's weird and ugly, like a large, flat scorpion, with bizarre pincher-looking appliances on its mouth...or whatever it is.

It took some time, but I finally got a book that explained what this flat little nightmare is: The Vinegarroon!

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It didn't help its case to know that it's also known as the whip scorpion. It's one of the Arizona-Sonoran desert's most bizarre yet totally harmless residents.

This funky-looking arachnid goes by the scientific name Mastigoproctus giganteus. But don't let the "scorpion" part fool you; this little guy is not venomous and won't sting you. I was awash in relief. My fear was replaced with curiosity.

What is a Vinegarroon?

Vinegarroons are part of the arachnid family, so they're actually distant cousins to spiders and scorpions. They have some of the traits of their scorpion relatives. Those pincer things out front are a dead giveaway. There's no signature curved tail with a venomous stinger, and I'm just going to pause for a second of gratitude.

They do have that long, whip-like tail. It's not used for defense, thankfully. It's a sensory tool rather than a weapon.

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How to Tell the Difference Between a Scorpion and a Vinegarroon

Don't panic if you see one of these creatures. It looks a bit like a scorpion, but stay calm because this is how you can tell the difference: vinegarroons have a straight, thin tail, while scorpions have a curved, segmented tail with a stinger at the end.

Plus, vinegarroons have a secret weapon; when they're feeling threatened, they spray a vinegar-like acid from their rear end to get predators to leave them alone. It's harmless to humans but definitely stinky!

Sources:  A to Z Animals | Fact Animal | National Geographic | Animal Facts