- Cercophonius squama
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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)Cercophonius squama, commonly known as the forest scorpion or wood scorpion, is a scorpion native to southeastern Australia. It is typically around 25–40 mm long.[1] Its colour consists of different shades of brown.
Contents
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
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
- ^ Museum Victoria - Southern or Wood Scorpion Cercophonius squama
- ^ a b University of Adelaide Clinical Toxinology Resources - Cercophonius squama
- ^ a b c d e f Abraham Miller - Cryptically beautiful: surprising observations of the scorpion Cercophonius squama
External links
- Museum Victoria: Southern or Wood Scorpion
- Cercophonius squama (Forest Scorpion)
- Detailed information on Wood Scorpion (Cercophonius squama)
Categories: Scorpionidae | Animals described in 1844
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