ROCK (Hadogenes) • TREE (Opistacanthus)

The rock scorpions, Hadogenes, are very large dark scorpions which live between rocks and bark of trees. The total body length of the female is about 180 mm and the tails of the males are exceptionally long and thin and they can measure 210 mm in total body length. In spite of their size, they are not aggressive and rarely use their sting, relying on their broad pincers for defense and prey capture.

The tree scorpions, Opistacanthus, are also dark in colour with an orange tip to the tail. They are smaller than the rock scorpions (about 10cm in length), slow moving and non-aggressive. They live under bark of trees, especially acacias trees as well as in scrapes under rocks, and are often found hanging upside down from the overhead rock.

Stings from Hormurid scorpions cause mild localized pain lasting for about twenty minutes and mild swelling for less than forty-eight hours. No other effect should be felt.

– Dr. Moira Fitzpatrick –

Curator, Natural History Museum, Bulawayo

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