Heterometrus spinifer

Heterometrus spinifer
Heterometrus spinifer
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Chelicerata
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Scorpionidae
Genus: Heterometrus
Species: H. spinifer
Binomial name
Heterometrus spinifer
(Ehrenberg in Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828)
Synonyms
  • Buthus spinifer Ehrenberg in Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828[1]
  • Palamnaeus laevigatus Thorell, 1876
  • Palamnaeus oatesii Pocock, 1900

Heterometrus spinifer, the Giant Forest Scorpion, Giant Blue Scorpion, or Malaysia Black Scorpion, is a species of scorpions belonging to the family Scorpionidae.

Description

Heterometrus spinifer can reach a length of about 10–12 centimetres (3.9–4.7 in).[2] The body is shiny black with gray-green reflections. The pincers are highly developed. It feeds primarily on insects, mainly cockroaches, crickets and locusts.[3] Its venom can cause very severe pain, disorders of vision and mild numbness in the affected area but it is not typically lethal to humans.[3] These scorpions tend to be skittish and defensive, using their large pedipalps to attack, more than their tail.

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in South East Asia,[2] including Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.[3] Generally, these terrestrial scorpions live in moist forests in the dark undergrowth under logs or other debris and they burrow into the ground where it can hide during the day.[3]

References

  • Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828 : Zoologica II. Arachnoidea. Symbolae physicae seu icones et descriptiones animalium evertebratorum sepositis insectis quae ex itinere per Africam borealem et Asiam occidentalem. Berolini: Officina Academica.
  1. ↑ Biolib
  2. 1 2 Exotic Pets
  3. 1 2 3 4 WikiPets


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