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Hadogenes troglodytes

Hadogenes troglodytes, commonly known as the flat rock scorpion, is the longest scorpion species in the world and belongs to the family Hormuridae. Native to southern Africa, especially South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, it inhabits rocky outcrops and cliff faces, where it uses its flattened body to squeeze into narrow crevices for shelter.

HABITAT

🌍 Geographic Range:

Native to southern Africa, particularly in Namibia and South Africa. Its distribution is tied to rocky outcrops and escarpments rather than broad geographic spread, so populations are often very localized.

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🏡 Microhabitat Preferences:

Found in arid and semi-arid regions. Specialized for life in rocky habitats, especially:

Cliff faces
Rocky hillsides
Cracks and crevices in escarpments

It is a flat-bodied scorpion, which allows it to squeeze into very narrow rock crevices to avoid predators and extreme heat. Nocturnal, emerging at night to hunt insects and other arthropods.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

📏Size:

Hadogenes troglodytes, the flat rock scorpion, is one of the largest scorpions in Africa. Adults typically measure around 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) in length, though some individuals can grow even longer. Despite their size, they are relatively slender compared to bulkier species like Gigantometrus swammerdami.

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🎨Coloration:

In terms of colour, they are usually dark brown to black, with a somewhat matte or rough appearance that helps them blend into rocky environments.

Their pincers (pedipalps) are elongated and often lighter in shade, sometimes appearing reddish-brown or yellowish compared to the rest of the body. This colouration gives them excellent camouflage against the cracks and crevices of cliffs and rocky outcrops where they live.

CAPTIVE CARE

📏Enclosure Size:

A minimum terrarium of 30x30x20 is sufficient for a single H. troglodytes adult.

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🌡️Temperature:

24–30 °C

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💧Humidity:

50%.

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🌱Substrate:

Dry substrate

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⏰Feeding schedule:

Once every 2 weeks

VENOM

💉Hadogenes troglodytes is known to have very mild venom.

Its LD₅₀ (lethal dose for 50% of lab mice) has been reported around 1,800-2,667 mg/kg, which is quite weak compared to many dangerous scorpions.
The scorpion is reluctant to sting, preferring to use its powerful claws (pedipalps) as its first line of defense.
When it does sting, the pain is usually minor and brief — not serious for healthy adults in general.

STATS

LATIN NAME:

• Hadogenes troglodytes

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COMMON NAME:

• Flat-Rock Scorpion

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TEMPERATURE

• 25°- 30°

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TEMPERAMENT:

• Calm

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HUMIDITY:

• 50%

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COMMUNAL:

• 2/5 — Low Tolerance

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SIZE:

• Up to 20cm

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ECOLOGY:

• Terrestrial

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SUBSTRATE:

• Sand/Clay

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ORIGIN:

• South Africa

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FACTS

It’s called the flat rock scorpion because of its extremely flattened body shape, which allows it to squeeze into narrow rock crevices for protection and ambush hunting. This adaptation makes it one of the best “rock specialists” among scorpions.

It’s also known for its impressive size, reaching up to 20 cm, making it one of Africa’s largest scorpions. Despite this, it has very weak venom, among the least potent of all scorpions. Instead, it relies on its strong pincers to capture prey and defend itself.

Another interesting feature is its slow growth rate. It can take up to 8 years to reach maturity, which is unusually long for an invertebrate. This long development contributes to its relatively long lifespan. many live well over a decade in captivity.