Cercophonius squama | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Scorpiones |
Family: | Bothriuridae |
Genus: | Cercophonius |
Species: | C. squama
|
Binomial name | |
Cercophonius squama (
Gervais, 1844)
|
Cercophonius squama, commonly known as the forest scorpion or wood scorpion, is a scorpion native to south-eastern Australia. It is typically around 25–40 mm (0.98–1.57 in) long. [1] Its colour consists of different shades of brown.
The body is creamy yellow to orange-brown with dark brown variegations. [2] The legs are yellow with some dark brown pigment. [2]
Cercophonius squama is found in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania. It is the only scorpion found in Tasmania. [3]
They have been proven to be slightly defensive, nocturnal—like most scorpions—and sedentary, meaning that it is highly unlikely for them to migrate when there are extreme environmental changes. Accustomed to a wetter climate, these scorpions can dig shallower or deeper burrows, depending on the situation, to avoid environmental extremes for several months. [4]
Insemination occurs before winter and birth typically occurs during summer. [3] Females give birth to 20-30 live young over a period of several hours. [3] The young are white and soft-bodied at birth. [3] Females have been observed selectively eating some of the young but the trigger is not known. [3] It takes approximately two weeks for the exoskeleton to completely form for newborns. [3]
Cercophonius squama | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Scorpiones |
Family: | Bothriuridae |
Genus: | Cercophonius |
Species: | C. squama
|
Binomial name | |
Cercophonius squama (
Gervais, 1844)
|
Cercophonius squama, commonly known as the forest scorpion or wood scorpion, is a scorpion native to south-eastern Australia. It is typically around 25–40 mm (0.98–1.57 in) long. [1] Its colour consists of different shades of brown.
The body is creamy yellow to orange-brown with dark brown variegations. [2] The legs are yellow with some dark brown pigment. [2]
Cercophonius squama is found in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania. It is the only scorpion found in Tasmania. [3]
They have been proven to be slightly defensive, nocturnal—like most scorpions—and sedentary, meaning that it is highly unlikely for them to migrate when there are extreme environmental changes. Accustomed to a wetter climate, these scorpions can dig shallower or deeper burrows, depending on the situation, to avoid environmental extremes for several months. [4]
Insemination occurs before winter and birth typically occurs during summer. [3] Females give birth to 20-30 live young over a period of several hours. [3] The young are white and soft-bodied at birth. [3] Females have been observed selectively eating some of the young but the trigger is not known. [3] It takes approximately two weeks for the exoskeleton to completely form for newborns. [3]