Cercophonius squama

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.

Cercophonius squama
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Chelicerata
Class:
Arachnida
Order:
Scorpiones
Family:
Bothriuridae
Genus:
Cercophonius
Species:
C. squama
Binomial name
Cercophonius squama
(Gervais, 1844)

Description

The body is creamy yellow to orange-brown with dark brown variegations.[2] The legs are yellow with some dark brown pigment.[2]

Distribution and habitat
An Cercophonius Squama as seen in situ near the Australian Capital Territory.

C. squama is found in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania. It is the only scorpion found in Tasmania.[3]

Behaviour

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]

Breeding

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]

References
  1. "Southern or Wood Scorpion Cercophonius squama". Museum Victoria. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
  2. Clinical Toxinology Resources - Cercophonius squama, University of Adelaide
  3. Abraham Miller - Cryptically beautiful: surprising observations of the scorpion Cercophonius squama
  4. Margules, C. R.; Milkovits, G. A.; Smith, G. T. (1994). "Contrasting Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on the Scorpion Cercophonius Squama and an Amphipod". Ecology. 75 (7): 2033–2042. doi:10.2307/1941608. ISSN 0012-9658.


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