Parabuthus transvaalicus
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Parabuthus transvaalicus (known as the Transvaalicus thick-tailed scorpion, South African thick tail, or giant deathstalker) is a species of venomous scorpion from semi-arid parts of southern Africa.[1]
Description
Parabuthus transvaalicus grows to a length of Template:Convert, and is dark brown or black in colour, so it is also known as the Black Thick-Tailed scorpion.[2] Its pincers are thin, but its tail is thickened, with the sting segment being as wide as the rest of the tail.[2] It is nocturnal, resting in a shallow burrow under rocks during the day.[2] It resembles its congener P. villosus, which is less strictly nocturnal, hairier and has a more westerly distribution.[2]
Distribution
Parabuthus transvaalicus is found in deserts, scrublands and semi-arid regions of Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, some parts of the Namib Desert and South Africa.[3]
Sting
Parabuthus transvaalicus is a dangerous, medically significant scorpion, which can both sting and spray its kurtoxin venom.[2] The first droplet of venom differs from the rest, and is referred to as "pre-venom".[4] A further potassium channel inhibitor, parabutoxin, has been isolated from the venom of P. transvaalicus.[5]