About Buthus occitanus (Amoreux, 1789)
Buthus occitanus, commonly called the common yellow scorpion, is a species of scorpion belonging to the family Buthidae. This species is found in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southern Europe, including Mediterranean climate regions of Portugal, Spain, and France. Adults of B. occitanus measure 60 to 80 mm in length, and have a yellow or yellow-brown body color. The species is venomous, and produces the BotIT6 toxin, though the toxicity of its venom varies significantly across different parts of its range. B. occitanus most often inhabits hot, dry areas with sparse vegetation, and hides under objects such as stones during the day. It has also been recorded from Mediterranean forests in Spain at altitudes over 1000 meters, locations that experience snowfall during winter. In Europe, a sting from this scorpion is painful but only causes mild toxic effects. However, stings from the North African subspecies Buthus occitanus tunetanus may be fatal.
