''Cercophonius squama'', commonly known as the forest scorpion or wood scorpion, is a

scorpion Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always end ...

native to south-eastern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. It is typically around long. Its colour consists of different shades of brown.

Description

The body is creamy yellow to orange-brown with dark brown variegations.Clinical Toxinology Resources - Cercophonius squama

University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public research university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on N ...

The legs are yellow with some dark brown pigment.

Distribution and habitat

''C. squama'' is found in

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, the ACT and

Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

. It is the only scorpion found in Tasmania.Abraham Miller - Cryptically beautiful: surprising observations of the scorpion Cercophonius squama
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Behaviour

They have been proven to be slightly defensive, nocturnal—like most scorpions—and sedentary, meaning that it is highly unlikely for them to migrate when there are extreme environmental changes. Accustomed to a wetter climate, these scorpions can dig shallower or deeper burrows, depending on the situation, to avoid environmental extremes for several months.

Breeding

Insemination occurs before winter and birth typically occurs during summer. Females give birth to 20-30 live young over a period of several hours. The young are white and soft-bodied at birth. Females have been observed selectively eating some of the young but the trigger is not known. It takes approximately two weeks for the

exoskeleton An exoskeleton (from Greek ''éxō'' "outer" and ''skeletós'' "skeleton") is an external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to an internal skeleton (endoskeleton) in for example, a human. In usage, some of the ...

to completely form for newborns.

References

External links

Atlas of Living Australia: Cercophonius squama (Gervais, 1844)

The Australian Museum: Wood or Forest Scorpion
{{Taxonbar, from=Q606850 squama Animals described in 1844 Scorpions of Australia Fauna of the Australian Capital Territory Endemic fauna of Australia Taxa named by Paul Gervais