General Description
Body white-yellow to orange-brown with variegated patches of light or dark brown. Up to 5 cm long, usually 2.5-4 cm (head to tail tip).
Biology
The Wood Scorpion is a widespread south-eastern Australian species, and one of three species known to occur in the greater Melbourne region. They usually live in burrows under plant litter on the ground. These burrows are shallow if they are temporary and deeper if they will be occupied longer. They can also live under the bark of standing trees, preferring eucalypts. They feed on small invertebrates generally less than 10 mm in body length. Wood Scorpions can live for more than three years. A female can produce 30 live young at a time, and initially carries them on her back inside the burrow.
Distribution
South-western and eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania.
Habitat
Under bark of eucalypt trees and in ground leaf litter, in burrows, also urban gardens.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Scorpion with a white-yellow to orange brown body and tail as long as body.
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Colours
Orange, Brown
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Maximum Size
40 mm
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Diet
Carnivore
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Diet Categories
Invertebrates
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Hazards
The sting of the Southern or Wood Scorpion can cause inflammation and pain for several hours, and medical advice should be sought.
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Gervais, 1844)
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Common Name
Wood Scorpion
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Other Names
Southern Scorpion
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
squama
