Heterometrus spinifer

Heterometrus spinifer, the asian forest scorpion, giant blue scorpion, or Malaysian black scorpion, is a species of scorpions belonging to the family Scorpionidae.[2]

Heterometrus spinifer
Heterometrus spinifer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Chelicerata
Order:
Scorpiones
Family:
Scorpionidae
Genus:
Heterometrus
Species:
H. spinifer
Binomial name
Heterometrus spinifer
(Ehrenberg in Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828)
Synonyms
  • Buthus spinifer Ehrenberg in Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828[1]
  • Palamnaeus laevigatus Thorell, 1876
  • Palamnaeus oatesii Pocock, 1900

Description

H. spinifer can reach a length around 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in).[3] The body is shiny black with gray-green reflections. The pincers are highly developed. It feeds primarily on insects, mainly cockroaches, crickets, and locusts.[4] Its venom can cause very severe pain, disorders of vision, and mild numbness in the affected area, but it is not typically lethal to humans.[4] These scorpions tend to be skittish and defensive, using their large pedipalps (pincers) to attack, more than their tails.

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in Southeast Asia,[3] including Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.[4] Generally, these terrestrial scorpions live in moist forests in the dark undergrowth under logs or other debris, and they burrow into the ground where they hide during the day.[4]

Captivity

The Malaysian black scorpion is commonly kept in the pet trade due to its low venom toxicity [5] and large size.

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References
  1. Biolib
  2. Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828 : Zoologica II. Arachnoidea. Symbolae physicae seu icones et descriptiones animalium evertebratorum sepositis insectis quae ex itinere per Africam borealem et Asiam occidentalem. Berolini: Officina Academica.
  3. Exotic Pets
  4. WikiPets
  5. http://www.biochemj.org/content/328/1/321


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