Lyla Lindsey
Australia is home to a wide variety of scorpions, with estimates suggesting there could be over 100 species. Scorpions are common arachnids found in a variety of habitats throughout Australia, from rainforests to deserts. They prey on anything smaller than themselves, including beetles, crickets, spiders, and even small frogs and skinks. While scorpion stings are infrequent, they can be painful and cause inflammation. Scorpion species in Western Australia include Urodacus novaehollandiae, which is the rarest scorpion in Victoria, and a small scorpion that inhabits sand dunes throughout WA and SA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of scorpion species in Australia | 47 or more |
| Number of scorpion species in Western Australia | At least 1 |
| Scorpion size | 1.5–12 cm |
| Scorpion colour | Dark grey to light brown or gold |
| Scorpion eyesight | Poor |
| Scorpion lifespan | 2–10 years, some up to 25 years |
| Scorpion diet | Beetles, cockroaches, spiders, crickets, slaters, centipedes, millipedes, frogs, skinks |
| Scorpion habitat | Under logs, rocks, shallow burrows, desert sand, gardens, forests, sand dunes |
| Scorpion behaviour | Nocturnal, ambush predators |
| Scorpion venom | Potent sting, not deadly to humans |
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What You'll Learn
Scorpion species in Western Australia
Australia is home to more than 100 species of scorpions, and while they typically live in remote habitats, they sometimes enter human settlements. Scorpions in Western Australia are relatively harmless and vary in size and colour. They prey on smaller animals, including beetles, crickets, spiders, small frogs, and skinks. The scorpions in Western Australia vary in length from 2 to 12 cm and are typically nocturnal, seeking shelter during the day in places like debris or burrows. This behaviour and their remote habitats make them rarely seen. Scorpion stings are infrequent but can be painful. However, none of the scorpion species in Western Australia have fatal venom, and their stings usually do not require medical attention.
The Marbled Scorpion, a small scorpion species ranging from 1.5 to 4 cm in length, is commonly found in southern Australia, particularly in gum forests. It is known to occasionally enter human dwellings and is the species most frequently found inside houses. This scorpion species is mottled, with a colour range from dark grey to light brown or gold, and lighter-coloured legs.
Another scorpion species found in Western Australia is a small, mottled scorpion that may represent several species. It inhabits sand dunes and uses its light colouration for camouflage while waiting to ambush prey such as invertebrates. This scorpion species is well-adapted to the environment, taking advantage of the sand and small shrubs for concealment.
While the previous scorpion species is more of a generalist predator, another scorpion species found in Western Australia has evolved to become a specialist spider hunter. It is believed that this scorpion species takes shelter in the burrows of trapdoor spiders after killing them. This scorpion has likely developed specific strategies to target and prey on spiders, making it a unique member of the scorpion family in Western Australia.
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Habitat and behaviour
Scorpions are common arachnids found in a variety of habitats throughout Australia, from rainforests to deserts. They are typically nocturnal, hunting during the night and seeking refuge during the day under debris, rocks, logs, and in shallow burrows in earth banks. Some scorpions are more active foragers, while others lie in wait to ambush their prey. They prey on anything smaller than themselves, including beetles, crickets, spiders, and even small frogs and skinks. They have poor eyesight but exceptional low-light sensitivity, which helps them navigate at night and avoid harsh sunlight. They also have sensory hairs, slit organs, and pectines that allow them to pick up on vibrations, scents, and ground textures.
Scorpions vary in length from 2 to 12 cm, with female scorpions tending to be heavier and more robust, with shorter tails. Their coloration can range from dark grey to light brown or gold, with lighter-coloured legs. One distinctive feature is their long, curved tails, which bear a stinger at the end. They also have two pincers located at the front of their bodies.
Scorpions are found throughout Australia, including in Western Australia. The genus Urodacus, which includes some of the largest scorpion species, is found all over mainland Australia. The Buthidae family, which includes the world's most venomous scorpions, is also common in Australia. However, the Australian species of Buthidae are much smaller and are not considered deadly to humans. While scorpion stings can be painful and cause inflammation, they are not known to be fatal in Australia.
One species found in Western Australia is Urodacus novaehollandiae, which is dark brown and grows up to 7 cm in length. Another species found in Western Australia and South Australia is Isometroides angusticaudus, which has a mottled body and a characteristic black marking on the last two segments of its tail. This species specialises in eating ground-nesting spiders.
Scorpions have a long lifespan, with some species living up to 25 years. Female scorpions give birth to live young, carrying the pale young on their backs for a few days or weeks until they are independent. Scorpions take a long time to reach maturity, moulting frequently over several years.
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Diet
Scorpions are found in a variety of habitats throughout Australia, from rainforests to deserts. They are arachnids and are common in gardens and forests. They are mostly nocturnal, but they can be active during the day, especially in prolonged wet weather. Scorpions have multiple eyes but don't have great eyesight. They can distinguish light from dark and have excellent low-light sensitivity, which helps them navigate at night and avoid harsh sunlight. They rely on their sensory hairs, slit organs, and pectines to pick up vibrations, scents, and ground textures.
The Australian desert scorpion, also known as the desert scorpion, is found in southwestern Queensland, South Australia, the southern Northern Territory, northwestern New South Wales, and Western Australia. They are well-adapted to arid environments and construct deep spiral burrows in sand dunes to escape the extreme heat. The desert scorpion is a large and aggressive species that can be found throughout the deserts of Australia's interior.
The diet of the Australian desert scorpion consists of a variety of small creatures, including arthropods such as beetles, cockroaches, crickets, spiders, slaters, centipedes, millipedes, and even small frogs and skinks. They are known to be ambush predators, lying in wait near the entrance of their burrows to detect and capture passing prey.
In addition to their diet, Australian desert scorpions have unique methods of obtaining water. They do not drink standing water but have evolved to extract moisture from damp soil through osmosis, allowing them to survive in dry desert conditions.
Scorpions in Victoria, Australia, have been observed to have a less venomous diet. The species Isometroides vescus, for example, specialises in eating ground-nesting spiders. Another species, Lychas variatus, is an uncommon scorpion in Victoria, with a body length of about 4 cm and a mottled colour pattern.
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Reproduction
Scorpions are arachnids, which means they are related to spiders, ticks, mites, and harvestmen. They have four pairs of legs and a body divided into two parts: the cephalothorax, which contains the mouthparts, eyes, pedipalps, and legs, and the abdomen, which contains the reproductive and digestive organs.
Scorpions typically reproduce through internal fertilisation. Male and female scorpions find each other by vibration, scent, and touch. During mating, the male deposits a spermatophore (sperm parcel) on the ground, and the male and female then perform a mating dance, with the female being manoeuvred into position over the spermatophore so that it can be drawn into her genital pore. Interestingly, the male scorpion's organ breaks off in the female's reproductive tract and functions as a "mating plug", preventing the female from mating again until it is reabsorbed. After fertilisation, the female scorpion gives birth to live young, carrying the pale young scorpions on her back for a few days or weeks until they can survive independently.
Scorpions have a long lifespan, with some species living up to 25 years. They take a long time to reach maturity, moulting frequently (up to six times) over a period of two to six years.
It is worth noting that one species of scorpion found in southern Australia and South-East Asia, has females that can asexually produce clones of themselves.
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Are scorpion stings dangerous?
Scorpion stings can be dangerous, and they account for approximately 3,000 deaths worldwide each year. However, the severity of a scorpion sting depends on the species of scorpion and the health of the person stung. While all scorpions are venomous, their venom varies in potency, and not all scorpion stings result in systemic complications. Scorpion stings typically cause localised pain and discomfort, which should resolve within a few hours.
Scorpion stings from the Buthidae family, which includes the world's most venomous scorpions such as deathstalkers and fat-tailed scorpions, can produce severe toxic symptoms affecting the nervous system. The Middle East and North Africa are home to the deadliest scorpions, including the genera Buthus, Leiurus, Androctonus, and Hottentotta. In South America, the deadliest scorpion is the Brazilian yellow scorpion (Tityus serrulatus), which is responsible for most scorpion sting fatalities in the region. Other dangerous scorpion species include Mesobuthus in India and Centruroides in Mexico.
The Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is considered the most venomous scorpion in North America, with side effects including numbness, tingling, convulsions, difficult breathing, and occasionally paralysis. However, stings from this species rarely result in death, and most people can be safely managed and observed at home. Baby bark scorpions are not more venomous or dangerous than adults, and their small size can make it difficult to locate the puncture wound.
In Australia, scorpion stings are infrequent due to their remote habitats and elusive behaviour. While Australian scorpions have a potent sting that can cause inflammation and pain, their venom is not known to be fatal, and victims usually do not require medical assistance. To treat a scorpion sting, it is recommended to apply a cold pack or cool compress to the affected area and seek medical attention if the pain persists.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, scorpions are found throughout Australia, including Western Australia.
Australian scorpions are not considered deadly to humans. Their stings are usually just a painful irritation. However, if stung, apply a cold pack to the affected area and seek medical attention if the pain persists.
Scorpions are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens, and deserts. They are typically nocturnal and seek refuge during the day under debris, rocks, logs, or in shallow burrows.
Scorpions prey on smaller animals such as beetles, crickets, spiders, and even small frogs and skinks. They are ambush predators, waiting for their prey to come to them.
Scorpions in Australia vary in length from 2 to 12 cm, with some species being smaller or larger.
