Fauna
Arachnid

Large-clawed Scorpion

Scorpio maurus

Also 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
Large-clawed Scorpion reference1 / 4
Guy Haimovitch / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCrickets, 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
Classification
  1. FamilyScorpionidae
  2. SpeciesScorpio maurus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…