The Buthids or thick-tailed scorpions are highly venomous to man and frequent all continents, except Antarctica. There are over 500 species of Buthids. The most dangerous are the Parabuthus and Buthotus genera, both found in Africa. Although a lot of what’s written applies to the majority of thick-tailed scorpions, this article will concentrate on the Parabuthus genus.
Anatomy
Parabuthus is characterized by having a thick, segmented tail and small pincers. These scorpions do not need large pincers to hold down their prey due to the high toxicity and quick action of their venom. Parabuthus can range from forty to one hundred forty millimeters in length. Most are over seventy millimeters long. Colors vary, ranging from yellow to black or brown and the legs tend to be lighter than their body. Males are also smaller than females. The tail has two segments and some species of Parabuthos have been known to be able to stridulate or give out a warning hiss, by rubbing its sting across its ridges. Care must be taken in handling the tail of these scorpions due to their ability to maneuver and give defensive sideways stings with its telson.
Habitat
Parabuthus tend to like areas that are warm and dry. This scorpion is well adapted for digging and burrowing. Some construct their burrows in open ground, while others have burrows around or beneath vegetation, logs and stone. The scorpion uses the ridges on its tail to loosen the ground its digging in and usually carries away the loose dirt with its first two pairs of legs. Due to their inability to dig in hardened ground, they are restricted as to their distribution and habitat. Although restricted in this way, the different species of Parabuthus do have some special adaptations to their environment. Some are adapted to locomotion in sandy areas while others are adept to locomotion in grittier substrates.
Temperament
Thick-tailed scorpions and Parabuthus, in particular, tend to be fairly aggressive scorpions. They are generally nocturnal, although Parabuthus villosus tends to be active during the day. Wherever they inhabit, they tend to be the dominant variety of scorpion in the area. Other species tend to adapt their activity around that of Parabuthus, to avoid encountering this species. Some Parabuthus genera hunt actively, looking for their next meal, while others hide and wait for their prey to pass by. The active hunters also tend to possess the more potent venom of this species.
Danger to humans
Three species of Parabuthus have been associated with human deaths. These include P. granulatus, P. transvaalicus and P. mossambicensis. Although all species of this type of scorpion are dangerous to man, the type of reaction one gets to envenomation depends upon the amount of venom received, the depth of the sting, the size and health of the individual stung, allergic reaction and the ability to get immediate medical attention. Due to their remote areas of inhabitation, most people do not encounter this scorpion frequently. Also, antivenom does exist for this variety of scorpion, making it quite valuable for scientists. P. transvaalicus, as well as some other scorpions of this genus, are able to spray their venom up to one meter away when angered, due to a widened venom vesicle in its tail.
All scorpions should be avoided, especially thick-tailed scorpions. Known for their relatively aggressive behavior and potent venom, these scorpions generally frequent remote areas generally outside of human habitation. If accidentally stung, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible to prevent serious side effects or death.
References
Prins, A. and Leroux, V. South African Spiders and Scorpions. Anubis Press, Cape Town.Prins,1990
