Asian Forest Scorpion
The Asian forest scorpion (Heterometrus spinifer) is a big, shiny black scorpion of the forests of Southeast Asia, up to about 12 centimeters long. It has heavy pincers and a relatively mild sting.
The Asian forest scorpion (Heterometrus spinifer) is a big, shiny black scorpion of the forests of Southeast Asia, up to about 12 centimeters long. It has heavy pincers and a relatively mild sting.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Asian Forest Scorpion in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Ecdysozoa lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
Strong Claws, Weak Venom
The scorpion relies mainly on its massive pincers to crush prey such as crickets and small lizards, using venom only for tougher prey. Its sting is painful but not dangerous to healthy people.
Carried by Mother
Females give birth to live young that climb onto the mother's back and stay there until their first molt. The mother may live for several years.
Pet Trade
It is a popular pet and collected in large numbers. See Emperor Scorpion.
Asian Forest Scorpion at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Heterometrus spinifer |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Scorpiones |
| Family | Scorpionidae |
| Field Guide group | Ecdysozoa: Arachnida (Spiders, Scorpions & Allies) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Large glossy black arachnid with massive pincers, a segmented tail ending in a stinger, and comb-like sense organs beneath; glows blue-green under ultraviolet light. |
| Order | Scorpiones |
| Length | Up to about 12 centimeters |
See Also
- Emperor Scorpion — a similar scorpion
- Arizona Bark Scorpion — a dangerous scorpion