Forest scorpion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cercophonius squama |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Family: |
Bothriuridae
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| Genus: |
Cercophonius
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| Species: |
C. squama
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| Binomial name | |
| Cercophonius squama (Gervais, 1844)
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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 (0.98–1.57 in) long. Its colour consists of different shades of brown.
Description
The body is creamy yellow to orange brown with dark brown variegations. The legs are yellow with some dark brown pigment.
Distribution and habitat
C. squama is found in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania. It is the only scorpion found in Tasmania.
Behaviour
Slightly defensive
Breeding
Insemination occurs before winter and birth typically occurs during summer. Females give birth to 20-30 live young over a period of several hours. The young are white and soft-bodied at birth. Females have been observed selectively eating some of the young but the trigger is not known. It takes approximately two weeks for the exoskeleton to completely form for newborns.
