Fair Lesser-Thicktail Scorpion

A small scorpion under 3 cm with the tail extended. It is yellow to orange with a dark marking down the back. The tail and legs are usually orange with the hands of the pincers and last segment of the tail usually being darker in colour.

Full name: Fair Lesser-Thicktail Scorpion (Uroplectes formosus)

Classification: MILDLY VENOMOUS

A small scorpion under 3 cm with the tail extended. It is yellow to orange with a dark marking down the back. The tail and legs are usually orange with the hands of the pincers and last segment of the tail usually being darker in colour.

In South Africa it is only found from St Francis in the Eastern Cape along the coast to Kosi Bay in KZN. It occurs inland through eSwatini and into the grasslands of Mpumalanga almost to Gauteng. It is found under rocks and debris but is equally at home in small trees.

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 Fair Lesser-thicktail scorpion in Southern Africa
African Snakebite Institute