Deathstalker Scorpion Facts

Deathstalker Scorpion Facts, Pictures & Information. Discover One Of The World’s Most Dangerous Scorpions!

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Deathstalker scorpion facts, pictures & information. Does the deathstalker scorpion live up to its fearsome name? Read on for the lowdown on one of the world’s most dangerous scorpions…

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Deathstalker Scorpion Facts At A Glance

Deathstalker Scorpion Close Up

  • Scientific name: Leiurus quinquestriatus
  • Type of Animal: Arachnid, order Scorpiones
  • Animal Family: Buthidae
  • Where Found: North Africa and the Middle East
  • Body Length: 3 to 8 cm (1.2 to 3.1 in.)
  • Conservation Status: Unassessed

Deathstalker Scorpion Facts: Introduction

The deathstalker scorpion’s name – which seems to have been taken straight out of a horror film – is enough to strike fear into anyone who prefers their animals on the cute and cuddly side. This fearsome desert arachnid is definitely neither of those things.

With a hard exoskeleton and formidable pincers – let alone a lightning-fast stinger ready to administer a dose of potent venom – the deathstalker scorpion, for many people, is the stuff of nightmares.

Possibly for good reason; the species is considered to be one of the world’s most deadly scorpions.

Let’s find out more about this fearsome desert animal…

What Is A Deathstalker Scorpion?

The deathstalker scorpion, like all scorpions, is a member of the order Scorpiones, which forms part of the class Arachnida (the arachnids).

There are several different scorpion families within Scorpiones. The deathstalker is a member of the family Buthidae. This family contains around 1,062 species of scorpion (source).

Alongside the deathstalker scorpion in this family are the fattail scorpions and bark scorpions.

Deathstalker Scorpion Lifestyle

Like most scorpions, the deathstalker scorpion is nocturnal. During the day it seeks shelter from the sun underneath rocks or in burrows.

Scorpions are viviparous, which means that rather than hatching from eggs, the young develop inside the mother’s body before being born.

Young scorpions look like miniature versions of the adults. They develop in stages known as instars. The hard exoskeleton is shed between each stage, allowing the scorpion to grow.

Scorpion Body Parts

Like all scorpions, the deathstalker has eight legs. Its body has two main parts: the cephalothorax (or prosoma), which is the equivalent of an insect’s head and thorax; and the opisthosoma (or abdomen).

As well as containing the scorpion’s sensory organs, the cephalothorax is the section to which the scorpion’s legs and pincers are attached. It is protected by the carapace – the hard outer ‘shell’.

The scorpion’s opisthosoma has two main parts: the mesosoma (the broad section before the tail) and the metasoma (the scorpion’s ‘tail’).

At the end of the metasoma is the scorpion’s stinger. This section is known as the telson. It also contains the venom glands.

What Does The Deathstalker Scorpion Look Like?

Deathstalker Scorpion with stinger raised

The deathstalker scorpion is pale yellow-brown in color, and may have a smattering of light brown spots on its tail and carapace. The average size of a deathstalker scorpion is 5.8 cm (2.3 in.).

Where Is The Deathstalker Scorpion Found?

The deathstalker scorpion is found in desert areas of North Africa and the Middle East. Its range extends from Algeria in the west, to Iran in the east. Deserts in which the species is present include the Sahara Desert, Arabian Desert and Thar / Great Indian Desert.

Deathstalker Scorpion Habitat

Deathstalker Scorpion Habitat

Typical deathstalker habitat is desert and arid (dry) scrubland. The species resides under rocks or in crevices, and may utilize the abandoned burrows of other animals.

How Dangerous Is Deathstalker Scorpion Venom?

The venom of the deathstalker scorpion is among the most powerful of all scorpions. Despite this, its sting – while extremely painful – is rarely fatal to a healthy adult human.

The main danger arises from the scorpion’s victim suffering anaphylaxis (an extreme allergic reaction) after being stung. In some cases, this may prove fatal. Antivenom for the deathstalker scorpion’s sting is available in regions in which the species is present.

The Scorpion Whose Venom Saves Lives?

Bizarrely, the deathstalker scorpion’s venom may actually end up saving lives. Chemicals in the species’ venom have been found to bind to disease cells. This property is helpful in treating brain tumors and other diseases, and treatments using the venom are currently being investigated in medical trials.

Due to the disease-fighting qualities of the scorpion’s venom, it is said to be one of the most expensive liquids in the world!

Deathstalker Scorpion Facts: Further Reading

6 thoughts on “Deathstalker Scorpion Facts, Pictures & Information. Discover One Of The World’s Most Dangerous Scorpions!”

    • Hi Charlie

      Androctonus Crassicauda is more dangerous than Deathstalker, TWICE as dangerous because has the most toxic and dangerous scorpion venom in the world. I already got stung by Deathstalker and by Arizona Bark Scorpion and the pain from deathstalker Leiurus quinquestriatus lasted only 6 hours, with slightly high blood pressure, it was paifull but from Arizona Bark Scorpion it last almost 48 hours, and I got numb about 20 inches in my arm and felt a continuously pain. Read about Androctonus Crassicauda and Androctonus Bicolor.

      Reply

  4. This was really helpful for a school project I was doing. Surprisingly, almost no websites have info about DeathStalker scorpions.

    Reply

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