Nebo hierichonticus

Nebo hierichonticus is a species of scorpion belonging to the family Diplocentridae. It is one of the largest scorpions found in the Middle East and is notable for its size and distinctive appearance. This scorpion should be considered for advanced keepers only as it's venom surpasses that of many in the buthidae family.

HABITAT

🌍 Geographic Range:

Nebo hierichonticus is found in the Middle East, particularly:

Israel
Palestine
Jordan
Syria
Lebanon
The Sinai Peninsula (Egypt)

Some taxonomic revisions suggest its range might extend into parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen, but these records are less certain for hierichonticus proper (they may refer to close relatives within the genus Nebo).

________________________________

🏡 Microhabitat Preferences:

It is found in humid, tropical to subtropical environments. American Museum of Natural History

Within those regions, it tends to take up refuge in small sheltered spaces: under bark of trees, under stones, in rotting wood, in crevices, under flower pots, in basements or retaining walls in human-settled areas. Dark, moist microhabitats are favoured.
In island surveys (e.g. Miyako Islands, Japan), occurrences are influenced by altitude, distance from the coast, shading, and minimal exposure to low temperatures. It tends not to be in very cold or naked exposed areas.
Also found in coastal lowland areas in some island contexts.

Physical Description

📏Size:

Nebo hierichonticus is a large scorpion compared to many other Middle Eastern species. Adults typically reach 9–12 cm (about 3.5–5 inches) in length, with some exceptional specimens reported slightly larger.

________________________________

🎨Coloration:

In terms of coloration, they are generally dark brown, sometimes with lighter reddish or yellowish tinges on the legs or pedipalps. The overall tone is usually uniform and helps them blend into rocky and arid terrain.

________________________________

Captive Care

📏Enclosure Size:

Large terrestrial setup is required. A single adult needs at least a 30–40 litre (8–10 gallon) horizontal enclosure, with plenty of floor space for digging and roaming.

________________________________

🌡️Temperature:

Maintain 22–28 °C with a gentle gradient. Nighttime drops to around 22 °C are acceptable. Avoid prolonged exposure below 20 °C.

________________________________

💧Humidity:

Prefers low to moderate humidity (around 50–60%). Provide a localized humid retreat but keep the main enclosure arid.

________________________________

🌱Substrate:

Deep, compactable substrate for burrowing, around a few inches of a sand/clay mix or excavator clay blended with soil. Needs to hold stable burrows.

________________________________

⏰Feeding schedule:

Feed every 2 weeks. Offer appropriately sized prey such as crickets, roaches, or locusts. Adults may skip meals, so remove uneaten prey after 24 hours.

________________________________

🥣Water Source:

Provide a shallow water dish with fresh water, as this species is large enough to drink safely. Keep one corner of the substrate slightly damp.

________________________________

🍃Ventilation

Good cross-ventilation is necessary to prevent mold in an arid setup. A mesh or ventilated lid works well, but avoid excessive airflow that would desiccate the burrow zone.

________________________________

🙈Hides:

Essential to provide deep substrate for burrow construction. Flat rocks, slate pieces, or artificial caves can also be added to simulate natural rocky crevices.

VENOM

💉 The venom of Nebo hierichonticus is generally considered moderately potent but not medically significant to humans, as it does not belong to the highly dangerous families such as Buthidae. That being said, hobbyists often report that its sting feels much more powerful than expected for a Diplocentrid, with some even comparing its potency to that of Buthidae scorpions.

While it may cause noticeable pain, inflammation, and swelling at the sting site, there are no reliable reports of life-threatening envenomation in healthy adults.

This has led to the species being regarded as one of the more potent non buthid scorpions, with venom that seems stronger than its close relatives. It’s likely that the venom contains peptides with unusually strong ion-channel effects for a Diplocentrid, though studies are still limited.

STATS

LATIN NAME:

• Nebo hierichonticus

________________________

COMMON NAME:

• Jericho Scorpion

________________________

TEMPERATURE

• 22°- 28°

________________________

TEMPERAMENT:

• Don't mess with me

________________________

HUMIDITY:

• 50%

________________________

COMMUNAL:

• 2/5

________________________

SIZE:

• Up to 12cm

________________________

ECOLOGY:

• Terrestrial

________________________

SUBSTRATE:

• Sand

________________________

ORIGIN:

• Jericho, West Bank

________________________