Arachnid · GBIF taxon 6894666
Large-clawed Scorpion
Scorpio maurusAlso known as Israel Golden Scorpion, Zerachia Scorpion, Middle Eastern Golden Scorpion
Large-clawed scorpions are master excavators of the desert, crafting deep, spiral-shaped burrows into compacted clay and arid soils to escape blistering daytime heat. They rely on their exceptionally broad, powerful pincers rather than potent venom to overpower prey like beetles, crickets, and small lizards. Under ultraviolet light at night, their golden-brown cuticles glow a vivid neon green as they wait near burrow entrances for passing targets.
NocturnalBurrowerArachnid
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crickets
- Beetles
- Spiders
Predators
- Owls
- Desert hedgehogs
- Monitor lizards
ThreatsHabitat loss, overcollection for the exotic pet trade
HabitatsDeserts, dry scrublands, rocky slopes, semi-arid steppes
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyScorpionidae
- SpeciesScorpio maurus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Delivers a painful sting and strong pinch when provoked; observe from a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Delivers a painful sting that causes localized swelling and pain, complemented by a powerful claw pinch.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for unusually thick, bulbous pincers attached to a compact golden-yellow to deep reddish-brown body.
- What to do
- Avoid reaching under rocks or into ground holes, and never pick up wild individuals by hand.
Responsible observation
- Night Search: Use a UV blacklight after dusk to spot their brilliant fluorescent glow.
- Respect Burrows: Avoid digging into flattened, crescent-shaped burrow entrances in hard soil.
- Safe Distance: Keep hands away from underside of rocks or crevices where they shelter.
Co-occurring Species no rights reserved, uploaded by Arne Holgersson · cc0
Co-occurring Species HTO / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Fábio Olmos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Fábio Olmos · cc-by
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