Centruroides exilicauda use venom to hunt by injecting the prey which immobilizes or kills it. Their venom has the potential to be fatal to humans. However, the chances of this happening are low. Each scorpion species’ venom has a unique chromatographic profile, due to genetic factors distinct in each species. The genetic differences in venom are important for determining different species of scorpions since their morphology can be almost indistinguishable. In 2004, the existence of the C. exilicauda species was confirmed when the venom from them and the venom from their close relative, Centruroides sculpturatus, were tested and found to have different toxicity levels. The soluble venom of C. exilicauda and C. sculpturatus were extracted and the amino acid sequences concerning toxins were tested in mice. They showed that the venom from C. exilicauda was a less common medical threat. In humans, the venom of the California bark scorpion may cause difficulty breathing or muscle spasms.
