The Scorpions of South Africa

While scorpions may not be the animal that immediately springs to mind when contemplating South Africa, the region is home to many keen varieties. The country is home to over 160 species of scorpions, including the world's least venomous scorpion, the 'Hadogenes', which is also the world's longest, at over 21cm! However, it is the unique abilities of the scorpion that are the most fascinating. In harsh conditions, scorpions can survive for over a year without food or water. Incredibly slow metabolisms enable them to wait out these unfavourable conditions.

Habitats

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Varieties of scorpions can be found throughout the many separate regions of South Africa, each having very definite requirements. Their distribution in South Africa can sometimes be mapped back to substrate composition, sand systems, or even the rock types of their territories. For example, one species, the 'Opistopthalmus holmi', is confined to the Namib sand law in Namibia. Its evolution led it to become very specialized, able to navigate life surrounded by the continually shifting sands of the deserts, with long legs for walking, and fine hairs that act practically like snow shoes.

Ultraviolet

Scorpions are timid, secretive creatures, and this is easily apparent when trying to find them for study. Camouflaged during the day, and most active at night, it's difficult spotting the creatures as they go about their business. But even seeing for scorpions at night becomes difficult as they hide at the first signs of any light. Using an ultraviolet light has become the most dependable formula surrounded by experts to locate scorpions in South Africa, as they emit a green glow under the light's rays.

Footwear

A tasteless warning for travellers is that you should take extra care when leaving clothes, shoes, or sleeping bags exterior for fear that scorpions will crawl inside. Although with many species of scorpions in South Africa that are very venomous, it's always a wise precaution to check, the mean scorpion is unlikely to find your shoe an keen place to shelter. Many desert-dwelling species live under the ground or at the base of vegetation and plants. Burrows contribute a small security that is cooler and more humid than the exterior during the day - as well as a cosy nook to hide from predators. Some burrowing species will spend up to 95% of their life inside their burrows.

Hunters

Hunting tactics play a huge part in the life of a scorpion. The majority of scorpions are opportunistic, lurking within their shelters or burrows and only attacking when something they can overpower comes within stunning distance. However, two species of scorpions deviate from the trend, 'Parabuthus transvaalicus' and 'Parabuthus granulatus'. These species actively hunt for prey at night and seem practically arrogant as they move around, seemingly unconcerned at being observed.

Venom

All scorpions possess neurotoxic venom, but unlike other animals the venom is made up of any toxins which achieve separate functions. There are pain-inducing components for warning away large predators, and paralyzing toxins aimed at immobilizing prey animals such as insects. The least venomous scorpion in South Africa, the Hadogenes, has venom that is practically harmless, although they do sport a fine pair of pincers that are strong adequate to split a human fingernail. Scorpions have yet, however, to catch on as a formula of a cheap manicure!

The Scorpions of South Africa

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