About Parabuthus granulatus (Ehrenberg, 1831)
Parabuthus granulatus is commonly called the granulated thick-tailed scorpion, a large scorpion species native to drier areas of southern Africa. This species reaches around 11.5 cm in length, and its colour ranges from dark yellow to brown. While it has a relatively small vesicle, it is among the most venomous scorpion species found in the region. It is responsible for more serious envenomation cases than any other scorpion species in South Africa, with a small number of human deaths occurring each year from its stings. Its native range covers southern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, western Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Within South Africa, it can be found in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo. Though it has a sparse distribution, it actively forages out in the open, which leads to frequent contact with humans. It constructs burrows at the base of grass tufts, shrubs, logs, or stones, and favours stable sandy or gritty soil.
