Smeringurus mesaensis, also known as the dune scorpion or giant sand scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the family Vaejovidae.[1] It is common in the deserts of the southwestern United States.[2]
The dune scorpion is approximately 72 mm in length and 2.0 g in mass.[3]
Smeringurus mesaensis is fossorial and solitary, though young will aggregate shortly after dispersing from their mother. Females of this species are typically larger than males,[4] with males traveling to find females during mating season.[5] They are nocturnal creatures, active between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., accounting for their daytime invisibility.