Scorpio maurus is a species of North African and Middle Easternscorpion, also known as the large-clawed scorpionorIsraeli gold scorpion and lesser known as Zerachia scorpion.
This is a small/medium-sized scorpion 3 inches (76 mm) from the family Scorpionidae. It has brown back and golden claws. There are many sub-species of this scorpion, 19 of which were described by Fet et al.
The venom of Scorpio maurus contains a high variety of toxins including proteases, phospholipases, protease inhibitors and potassium channel toxins δ-KTx.[1] Although its venom contains a weak neurotoxin called maurotoxin, S. maurus is not a dangerous scorpion for humans.[2] There are no records of fatalities.
Found in very deep burrowsindeserts and occasionally sparse woodland. Its habit of creating very deep burrows (up to 1 metre deep) means that in captivity this scorpion is often happiest with higher humidity: sand that is deep will be moist, thereby creating a comparatively humid burrow.
Media related to Scorpio maurus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Scorpio maurus at Wikispecies
