scorpion identification

[JJward7]

Please help identify this little guy i found him under a flower pot in the east rand area please could you also tell me if it is harmful to humans as there is kids in our garden that i am worried about getting stung

[Primogen]

I going to say Parabuthus spp. probaly transvaalicus, there venom is dangerous and you should really avoid getting stung.
Where are you located by the way?

[Westley Price]

That is Uroplectes sp I recon.

The body shape and stinger doesn't look right for Parabuthus (coming from a scorpion novice).

I would guess Uroplectes triangulifer but without locality it is difficult to say.

[Sico]

Def NOT P transvaalicus or any other Parabuthus sp.. On the East Rand it would most likely be a Uroplectes sp. They are not lethal to humans (although someone always has to be first ) but they can deliver a painful sting. Other than screaming your head off for 20 minutes (if you're <13 yrs old) or swearing your lungs out for 10 minutes (if you're >13 yrs old - 0r >6 and from Brakpan) they're pretty inoffensive creatures.

[Mamba no 5]

Nasty little stingers, speaking from personal experience. Relocating would be a good idea. Not Dangerous, as Sico said, but nasty.

[Chris89]

I think you may have Pseudolychas pegleri there. Very similar in size and shape to the Uroplectes spp., and common in Gauteng. They have a red brown colouration while U. triangulifer is more boldly patterned in yellow and dark brown. The venom is probably of a similar strength. Could be wrong. Anyone confirm?

[shadowfoot]

That is Pseudolychas ochraceus, harmless to humans, their venom will probably just give you a bit of an itch.

[Chris89]

Nice one shadowfoot. according to this paper: http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... s_Buthidae)%2Ffile%2Fe0b4951db02bfb0ad8.pdf&ei=-ziBUsrQC-yg7Aag5ICwBw&usg=AFQjCNGoXTw98PJUHsknMNct-299PbuPUg pegleri doesn't occur in GP and surrounds.

[Terry]

Hi,

Could somebody please help with identification of this species and some general comments regarding toxicity etc.

It was found in Ladysmith.

[Chris89]

Ladysmith in Kzn? Nice find, thats a burrowing scorpion, Probably Opistophthalmus glabrifrons. Apparently a mild venom,they're not aggressive but they will sting and stridulate (hiss) if you bug them. They make burrows under rocks or in the open so you won't usually see them unless you look for them. They're protected by law so you should release it back at it's burrow if possible. In captivity i'd imagine it would need deep soil in which to burrow or atleast an artificial burrow. hope this helps