| Arabian fat-tailed scorpion | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Subclass: | Dromopoda |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Buthidae |
| Genus: | Androctonus |
| Species: | A. crassicauda |
| Binomial name | |
| Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) |
|
The Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus crassicauda) is a species of dangerous scorpion usually found in North Africa and the Middle East. It can reach lengths of 15 centimetres (5.9 in), is mildly aggressive, and is one of the top three most lethal scorpion species.[1]
Contents |
A. crassicauda is a generalist desert species,[2] an Old World scorpion.[3] Adults can vary in colour from a light brown to reddish to blackish-brown, to black. They can grow to over 10 cm in length.[2][4]
This species is found mainly in the Palaearctic region. It is commonly found in such countries as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey,[5] and in north African nations.[6][7][2]
A. crassicauda lives in the ruins of old, neglected structures,[2] and was considered a major hazard for troops during the whole Persian Gulf conflict, throughout the area of the war.[4]
Antivenom produced by this species has been used in Turkey to treat all scorpion stings since 1942.[3]