Unknown spider/scorpion
Posted by ramsey tehan on March 17, 2007
Q: I found some very small (2-3 mm) scorpion-like creatures in rotton wood in riparian forest in Portland, Oregon. They have 8 legs, but also long, segmented claws like a scorpion. The animals are reddish brown. However, unlike a scorpion, they have rounded abdomens...no stingers or body segments like a scorpion...What are these interesting creatures?
Habitat: forest/open woods
State: Oregon
Habitat: forest/open woods
A: Thanks for your nice description - very helpful. Sounds as though you've found some pseudoscorpions. These are secretive animals that are often over-looked even though they're reasonably abundant. Take a look at our unit on these animals to confirm what you saw. Check out www.enaturalist.org
Thanks for writing.
John Wiessinger ( March 19, 2007)