''Parabuthus transvaalicus'' (known as the Transvaalicus thick-tailed scorpion, South African thick tail, or giant deathstalker) is a
species of
venomous
scorpion from semi-arid parts of
southern Africa.
Description
''Parabuthus transvaalicus'' grows to a length of , and is dark brown or black in colour, so it is also known as the Black Thick-Tailed scorpion.
Its pincers are thin, but its tail is thickened, with the sting segment being as wide as the rest of the tail.
It is
nocturnal
Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite.
Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...
, resting in a shallow
burrow
An Eastern chipmunk at the entrance of its burrow
A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to construct a space suitable for habitation or temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of sh ...
under rocks during the day.
It resembles its congener ''
P. villosus'', which is less strictly nocturnal, hairier and has a more westerly distribution.
Distribution
''Parabuthus transvaalicus'' is found in
desert
A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...
s,
scrubland
Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominance (ecology), dominated by shrubs, often also including grasses, Herbaceous plant, herbs, and geophytes. Shrubland may either occur naturally or ...
s and
semi-arid regions of
Botswana,
Mozambique,
Zimbabwe, some parts of the
Namib Desert and
South Africa.
Sting
''Parabuthus transvaalicus'' is a dangerous medically significant scorpion, which can both sting and spray its
kurtoxin venom.
The first droplet of venom differs from the rest, and is referred to as "pre-venom".
References
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q139192
transvaalicus
Arachnids of Africa
Animals described in 1899