Common Lesser-Thicktail Scorpion

A small scorpion under 5 cm with the tail extended. It is dark yellow to orange with a dark line down the centre of the back. The tail and legs are usually a lighter orange compared to the body.

Full name: Common Lesser-Thicktail Scorpion (Uroplectes carinatus)

Classification: MILDLY VENOMOUS

A small scorpion under 5 cm with the tail extended. It is dark yellow to orange with a dark line down the centre of the back. The tail and legs are usually a lighter orange compared to the body.

It is found on the western side of the country from around George in the Western Cape all the way to Cape Town and north into Namibia. It occurs into the western Free State, North-west, Gauteng and Limpopo. It is found under rocks and debris usually on hard soils. It is also active on warm nights.

It may be confused with other lesser-thicktail scorpions. The sting of this species may cause pain but is not medically important.

Map indicating distribution of the Common Lesser-thicktail scorpion in Southern Africa
African Snakebite Institute