Transvaal Thick-tailed Scorpion — Species Repository

Photo: Krd, CC BY-SA 4.0

Scorpion Advanced

Parabuthus transvaalicus

Lifespan Est. 5-9 years (anecdotal)

Adult size Body 9-14 cm

Temperament Defensive, sprays venom, stings

Temperature 20–32°C

Humidity 30–50%

Vivarium 40 x 25 x 25 cm (lockable, escape-proof)

Wikipedia →

One of the largest buthids, from semi-arid scrub and desert in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where it lives in shallow burrows under rocks and logs. Adults are 9-14 cm long, dark brown to black, with slender claws and a very thick tail. It is dangerous: its neurotoxic venom can be fatal if untreated, especially to children and older people, and it can spray venom up to a metre, which is very harmful in the eyes. It should be kept only by experienced, licensed keepers.

Care information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice.

🔥 Heating

Give a warm end of about 28-32°C by day from a heat mat on one side wall run on a thermostat, cooling to around 20-22°C at night.

💡 Lighting

No UVB needed; it is nocturnal, and normal room daylight gives the day/night cycle.

🪨 Substrate

Dry sand, or sand mixed with clay or coco fibre, 8-10 cm deep for adults so it can dig a shallow burrow; young can be kept on plain sand.

🍽 Feeding

Juveniles roach nymphs or small crickets about twice a week; adults once a week while they are accepting food. It has a strong appetite.

💧 Water

Provide a shallow dish; for young, lightly mist one wall once or twice a month and keep the rest dry.

🏠 Enrichment

Flat rocks or cork bark laid over the substrate to burrow under.

🩺 Health Considerations

It develops mycosis if kept damp but is otherwise hardy. Escape and venom spray are the main safety risks.

🤲 Handling

Never handle it; use long tongs and wear safety glasses, as it sprays venom up to 1 m. In a Zimbabwe study 10% of stings caused severe neuromuscular and cardiac symptoms and 0.3% were fatal, so any sting is a medical emergency: call 999 and tell them the species.

⚖️ Legal Restrictions

DWA licence needed: the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 schedule lists 'Family Buthidae: All species' (England and Wales as substituted by SI 2007/2465, Scotland by SSI 2008/302), and the Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 lists all Buthidae too. Get the licence from your local council before you acquire one. It is not CITES-listed and not on the GB invasive species list.

📋 Additional Notes

Also called the giant deathstalker or South African fat-tailed scorpion. It stridulates (rasps its sting across its tail) as a warning before stinging or spraying. A UV torch helps you locate it before opening the enclosure.