Full name: Cape Thicktail Scorpion (Parabuthus capensis)
Classification: VERY DANGEROUS
A medium sized scorpion of around 10 cm with the tail extended. They are usually a pale orange or yellow colour, often with a darker last segment of the tail. Pitch black individuals are common around Lampert’s Bay on the west coast.
This species is known from the Western and Northern Cape provinces, usually sheltering under rocks and logs. It is easily confused with the Granulated Thicktail Scorpion and the Drab Thicktail Scorpion.
The venom of this species causes intense pain but has not resulted in human fatalities. Antivenom is not effective against the sting of this species.
Map indicating distribution of the Cape Thicktail Scorpion in Southern Africa
