Schlechter’s Thicktail Scorpion

A large scorpion of around 12 cm in length with the tail extended. Individuals are usually black or dark brown with yellow or white legs, although some individuals don’t have lighter legs.

Full name: Schlechter’s Thicktail Scorpion (Parabuthus schlecteri)

Classification: VENOMOUS

A large scorpion of around 12 cm in length with the tail extended. Individuals are usually black or dark brown with yellow or white legs, although some individuals don’t have lighter legs.

They usually live under rocks and can be found active at night. It is known from the Western and Northern Cape provinces in Karoo and Namaqualand vegetation. It is similar in colour to some colour forms of the Granulated Thicktail Scorpion with paler legs.

Stings from this species are painful and may require hospital treatment. Antivenom is not effective against the venom of this species.

Map showing distribution of the Schlecter’s Thicktail Scorpion in Southern Africa.
African Snakebite Institute