Scorpions are one of the oldest inhabitants of our planet, and their direct ancestors of the Paleozoic crustaceans lived in the water, and grew to 2 m or more. Already in the Carboniferous period, about 300 million years ago, the immediate ancestors of modern scorpions began to gradually go out and develop on land. Of course, modern species can not be compared in size to their distant ancestors, but we turn to these dangerous arthropods and find out what is the largest scorpion in the world.
10
Jaekelopterus rhenaniae
Our list will be opened by a fossil marine scorpion, a 0.46 m claw discovered by scientists in western Germany. If we compare the size of the claw and the total length of the fossil arthropod, then its size is approximately equal to 2.5 m.
They lived in the seas and rivers about 390-350 million years ago, although many scientists are inclined to believe that these crustaceans could live only in fresh water.
Similar fossils of crustaceans of this species have also been discovered in Wyoming in the western United States.
9
Androctonus bicolor
In North Africa and the Middle East, you can find a black scorpion with a massive tail. It belongs to the notorious Androctonus family, which is translated from Latin as “murderer”.
Adult individuals can reach a length of 90 mm, but their bulk weighs from 60 to 80 mm. They move very quickly and have a very aggressive character and lead mainly a nocturnal lifestyle.
When bitten, the poison is rapidly absorbed, and immediately affects the neurons responsible for breathing. After a bite, paralysis occurs and a person can die without medical attention in a few hours.
8
Androctonus australis
The habitat of this species from the Buthidae family extends from the deserts of North Africa to the tropical forests of East India. The epithet species is named australis, which means southern.
It has a light yellow color of the whole body and limbs, and grows to 90-110 mm. Dark claws can sometimes be found on massive claws and tail, so it can be easily distinguished from other yellow scorpions.
Venom Androctonus australis is highly toxic, but an adult can easily tolerate a bite without consequences, but children and people with heart disease can die after meeting this poisonous arthropod.
7
Leiurus quinquestriatus
This species from the Buthidae family is widespread in North Africa, found in Turkey and on the vast expanses of the Arabian Peninsula.
Leiurus quinquestriatus easily adapted to harsh conditions and hot climates, and lives among stones and crevices of rocks, avoiding sand dunes. At the time of danger or hunting for the victim, he can dig into the soil up to 20 cm.
The average size of this species is from 30 to 100 mm, but adult individuals often reach a length of 110 mm, and females are much larger than males. You can recognize the scorpion by its characteristic yellow-orange color.
6
Androctonus crassicauda
Known to most inhabitants of the planet under the name Thick-tailed Scorpion, it is found in the desert and foothill regions of the Middle East, the Caucasus and North Africa.
The color of the body, tail and claws of this species varies from dark red to black. Such scorpions grow up to 100 mm, the tail is massive, but the claws are narrow, like most representatives of the Buthidae family.
This is one of the most poisonous scorpions, a bite that leads to severe poisoning and may result in the death of a person.
5
Parabuthus transvaalicus
The dark scorpion chose the southern tip of Africa as its habitat, and easily adapted to the arid climate of deserts and semi-deserts.
It grows in length from 90 to 110 mm, and has a menacing black or dark brown color. The sting containing poison is as wide as the entire tail.
The poison is very toxic, and in many cases fatal. If you do not enter an antidote, a person dies. The danger is also that it can release poison not only at the time of a bite, but also spray it in the air.
4
Parabuthus villosus
Another large and dangerous scorpion in the south of the African continent grows to 180 mm in size, and because of such sizes, mice and large lizards fall into its diet.
This species is most active at dawn and dusk, when it crawls out of its holes and begins to hunt. It prefers open spaces, but can often crawl into wooden residential buildings. Hiding in the cracks, because it is very difficult to detect.
The color of the body, tail and claw is dark, but the limbs are red. Note that of the entire Buthidae family, the species Parabuthus villosus is the largest.
3
Heterometrus swammerdami
You can meet this dangerous and one of the largest scorpions in the world in the vastness of South Asia, as well as in the terrariums of world zoos.
The length of adults reaches 170 mm, but during the Second World War in India, an incredibly large specimen of Heterometrus swammerdami was caught, weighing 56 g, and its length was 292 mm.
Despite its impressive size, its poison is not very toxic, and with a bite it can cause irritation at the site of the bite and slight malaise.
2
Pandinus cavimanus
Scorpio of this species, growing up to 200 mm, lives in the arid regions of the African continent. Easily identified by its characteristic red-brown color.
Pretty calm, and not aggressive. Lives in earthen minks, and eats everything that is suitable in size. One of the few species that can go without food for a long time, sometimes up to several months.
The venom of a giant scorpion is not dangerous to human life, but the bite is rather painful, and the bite site is red and itchy.
1
Pandinus imperator
Due to its size and awesome majestic appearance, this species received a resounding name “The Imperial Scorpion”. They chose tropical equatorial forests of Africa as their habitat.
This is the largest scorpion ever found in nature, because some specimens grow up to 200 mm. They live in minks. And rarely attack a person. Only young individuals, as well as females, can sting, protecting their offspring.
Pandinus imperator reproduces easily in captivity, and is a popular species among scorpion lovers.
So our list of the 10 largest scorpions has come to an end. But you must always remember, whether it is large or small, a scorpion is mortally dangerous, and the poison released by a bite can cause irreparable harm to health, and in some cases lead to death.
It should be noted that large species are also the most poisonous.
Article author: Valery Skiba