| Scorpio maurus | |
|---|---|
| S. maurus palmatus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Scorpionidae |
| Genus: | Scorpio |
| Species: | S. maurus |
| Binomial name | |
| Scorpio maurus Linnaeus, 1758 |
|
Scorpio maurus is a species of North African and Middle Eastern scorpion, also known as the Large-clawed Scorpion or Israeli gold scorpion.
This is a small/medium sized scorpion (3 in) from the family Scorpionidae. There are many sub-species of this scorpion, 19 of which were described by Fet et al.
Although its venom contains a weak neurotoxin called Maurotoxin, S.maurus is not a dangerous scorpion. There are no records of fatalities.
Found in very deep burrows in deserts and occasionally sparse woodland. Its habit of creating very deep burrows (up to 1 metre deep) means that in captivity this scorpion is often happiest with higher humidity: sand that is deep will be moist, thereby creating a comparatively humid burrow.