Full name: Transvaal Thicktail Scorpion (Parabuthus transvaalicus)
Classification: VERY DANGEROUS
One of the larger scorpions in Southern Africa reaching a length of around 15cm with the tail extended. Usually dark brown to black in colour often with lighter pincers. It occupies bushveld habitat and can be found under rocks, logs and other debris.
It often ventures into houses and can also found under outside lights at night, hunting insects and other prey. It occurs from north of the Magaliesberg into Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West province as well as southern Botswana and Zimbabwe. Often confused with the Rough Thick-tail Scorpion as size and colour can be similar. The venom is medically important and antivenom is effective for stings.
Map showing distribution of the Transvaal Thicktail Scorpion in Southern Africa.
