Parabuthus transvaalicus (common names include black spitting thicktail scorpion, South African fattail scorpion, South African giant fat tail and South African spitting scorpion) is one of the largest scorpions in the family Buthidae.
| Parabuthus transvaalicus | |
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| Species: | P. transvaalicus
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| Parabuthus transvaalicus Purcell, 1899
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It is one of the most venomous scorpions in the south of Africa and is dangerous to humans. The spitting scorpion has sturdy pincers in addition to a powerful stinger. Like all scorpions it injects its venom into its prey but the Parabuthus also has the ability to spray venom over 1 metre as an additional defense.
This species of scorpion grows to a length of 12 cm (5 inches) and they are commonly seen in black and brown or chocolate-brown. This species is a desert/scrubland scorpion and is found in Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique under logs and stones.
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