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European Yellow-tailed Scorpion

Euscorpius flavicaudis
The European Yellow-tailed Scorpion is native to North Africa and Southern Europe. They have also been introduced to Great Britain and far off Uruguay. The colonies in the UK are the northernmost Scorpion colonies in the world!

This particular species is on the small side, as far as Scorpions go, though they are the largest in their genus. They typically top out at around 1.5in. They can be found in a whole mess of dry habitats, and are usually found living under stones and in various cracks and crevasses.

The Scorpions rarely leave their homes, but do so to mate during the summer months. Females will lay only one clutch each year, and will carry the juvenile scorpions on her back until they reach their first molt about a week after hatching. It will take two years for the young Scorpions to reach adulthood!

European Yellow-tailed Scorpions are ambush predators that patiently wait within their cracks, and then snatch up unsuspecting passerbys with their claws. They then consume their meals head first. Yum! Interestingly, they rarely use their stingers. Though they do have venom, it is weak and is not at all dangerous to healthy humans.
IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Europe, North Africa
Size : Length up to 1.7in (4.5cm)
Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Arachnida -- Order : Scorpiones
Family : Euscorpiidae -- Genus : Euscorpius -- Species : E. flavicaudis
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  1. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2012 at 11:06 AM

    On Sunday 26 Feb 2012 I found a yellow-tailed scorpion in our back garden in West Molesey, Surrey. I'd previously read about them being found in / near Dover but never expected to find one so close to home! Took some pics. Presumably, if there's one then there has to be more...?!
    Does anyone know if scorpions have been found elswhere in Surrey?
    thanks N Coverdale

    ReplyDelete

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