Scorpions live on almost every continent and in many more places than just “the desert.”

Quick Scoop: Where Do Scorpions Live?

  • Scorpions are found on every major landmass except Greenland and Antarctica.
  • Their range stretches from southern Canada and central Europe all the way to the southern tips of South America and Africa.
  • They thrive in hot deserts, but also in grasslands, savannas, forests, caves, and even coastal intertidal zones.

Typical Habitats

  • Deserts and semi‑arid regions : This is what most people picture—rocky, sandy areas with hot days and cooler nights. Many species are adapted specifically to desert sand.
  • Grasslands and savannas : Some species prefer open, grassy habitats where they hide under rocks, logs, or ground debris during the day.
  • Forests and woodlands : In tropical and temperate forests, scorpions hide under bark, leaf litter, fallen branches, or inside rotting logs.
  • Caves and rocky cliffs : Several species live permanently in caves; one species has been found more than 800 meters underground.
  • Mountains and high elevations : Scorpions can live from sea level up to about 5,000 meters in some mountain ranges.
  • Intertidal and coastal zones : A few species occur near shorelines, in areas that can be splashed by tides.

How They Shelter and Hide

  • Many scorpions dig or occupy burrows to stay cool by day and warm at night; the burrows are often narrow and just big enough for one animal.
  • Others crawl into tight spaces under rocks, boards, logs, or human clutter around homes and yards.
  • Tree‑climbing species, like bark scorpions, may shelter under bark or in palm trees, shrubs, and wall cracks.

Where They Live in the U.S.

  • Scorpions are most common in desert states like Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas.
  • Because they adapt well, they also occur in other states including Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Florida, Virginia, and more , sometimes in lower numbers.

Big Picture

  • Scorpions are primarily nocturnal , so they are active at night and hidden during the day wherever there is a small, dark, protected space.
  • As long as an area is not too cold year‑round and has shelter and prey (insects, spiders, etc.), there is a good chance some species of scorpion can live there.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.