Opisthacanthus madagascarensis

Opisthacanthus madagascarensis is a scorpion species native to Madagascar, inhabits tropical and subtropical forests, favoring humid, warm environments with plenty of cover such as rocks, logs, and leaf litter to maintain moisture and avoid predators. This species has a robust build and is small to moderately sized.

HABITAT

🌍 Geographic Range:

Opisthacanthus madagascariensis is endemic to Madagascar.

Its range extends mainly across the western and southwestern regions of the island, from the area west of the Betsiboka watershed down to the Onilahy River in the south.

It occurs in a belt of dry to semi-dry habitats along the island’s western side.

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🏡 Microhabitat Preferences:

This species inhabits dry deciduous forests, spiny thickets, and transitional zones between humid and arid habitats. It's usually found under logs, bark, or within soil crevices where it shelters during the day.

While primarily terrestrial, it may also use low vegetation and ground litter as cover. The environment it prefers is generally warm with seasonal dryness, but it often takes advantage of moister microhabitats within otherwise arid landscapes.

Physical Description

📏Size:

Opisthacanthus madagascariensis is a medium-sized scorpion, usually measuring between 4–6 cm in total length, though some individuals may reach slightly larger.

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🎨Coloration:

Its colouration is generally dark brown to black on the body and carapace, with slightly lighter brown to yellowish legs and telson. The pedipalps are relatively thick, often darker than the legs.

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Captive Care

📏Enclosure Size:

Medium terrestrial setup is best. A single adult needs at least a 10 litre horizontal enclosure, with plenty of floor space for burrowing and roaming.

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🌡️Temperature:

Maintain 24–28 °C with a gentle gradient. Nighttime drops to around 21°C are acceptable. Avoid prolonged exposure below 20 °C.

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💧Humidity:

Prefers moderate humidity (60%) with slightly drier surface layers. Provide a localized humid retreat, but avoid waterlogging the enclosure. Mist lightly once or twice a week..

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🌱Substrate:

Deep, compactable substrate for burrowing.

A mix of coco fibre, clay, and soil works well to hold stable tunnels.

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⏰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.

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🥣Water Source:

Provide a shallow water dish with fresh water. Also, mist surfaces lightly to allow drinking droplets, as they may prefer this.

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🍃Ventilation

Good cross-ventilation is necessary to prevent mold, especially with deeper substrates. A mesh or ventilated lid works well, but avoid excessive airflow that dries out burrows.

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🙈Hides:

Essential to provide deep substrate for burrow construction. You can also add flat rocks, cork bark, or artificial caves to simulate natural rocky crevices and ground litter shelters.

VENOM

💉 Opisthacanthus madagascariensis has venom that is regarded as mild to humans. A sting is typically painful, similar in intensity to a bee or wasp sting, but it is not considered medically significant. The effects are usually limited to local pain, redness, slight swelling, and sometimes brief numbness around the sting site.

There are no records of severe envenomation or life-threatening reactions from this species. Its venom is adapted mainly for subduing insect prey rather than for defense against large predators. As with other scorpions of this genus, the main concern would be in individuals who are allergic to insect venom, as they could experience stronger reactions.

STATS

LATIN NAME:

• Opisthacanthus madagascarensis

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COMMON NAME:

• Madagascar Black Scorpion

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TEMPERATURE

• 23°- 28°

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TEMPERAMENT:

• Docile

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HUMIDITY:

• 60%

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COMMUNAL:

• 2/5

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SIZE:

• Up to 6cm

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ECOLOGY:

• Terrestrial

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SUBSTRATE:

• Top soil

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ORIGIN:

• Western and southwestern Madagascar

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