Endemic to western and southwestern Madagascar, Palaeocheloctonus madagascariensis is a medium-sized hormurid scorpion characterised by its dark brown to black colouration, robust pedipalps and relatively compact build. Unlike many tropical forest species, it inhabits seasonally dry woodlands, deciduous forests and spiny thickets, sheltering beneath fallen timber, bark and stones. Originally described as Opisthacanthus madagascariensis in 1894, this species has undergone a recent taxonomic reassignment by Lorenzo Prendini's in April 2026.