Scorpiops grandjeani
Scorpiops grandjeani is a species of scorpion belonging to the family Scorpiopidae. This genus predominantly found in mountainous and forested regions. Due to its rarity and unique appearance, Scorpiops grandjeani is highly sought after by collectors.
HABITAT
🌍 Geographic Range:
Scorpiops grandjeani (family Scorpiopidae) was first described from Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia, though later authors have questioned whether that type locality may be in error.
Verified modern records place the species in southern Thailand, especially Trang Province, and in parts of the Thai–Malay Peninsula extending into northern Peninsular Malaysia. These records indicate it is a Sundaic forest species restricted to the moist, rocky hill-country of this region.
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🏡 Microhabitat Preferences:
This scorpion is closely associated with humid evergreen forest on limestone or other rocky substrates. Field notes report it occupying rock faces, fissures, soil banks, and crevices beneath stones or logs, often near the bases of cliffs or at forest edges close to streams and caves. The microhabitat is consistently cool, shaded, and moist, typical of many Southeast-Asian Scorpiops that rely on narrow crevices for shelter and reproduction.
Physical Description
📏Size:
The female holotype (original specimen) is reported to have a total length of around ~ 40 mm (typical for some Thai/Malayan Scorpiops) — the exact value is rarely published in accessible summaries.
In hobbyist listings, adult individuals are often referred to as “medium-sized” for Scorpiops, with a leg span of ~ 6–7 cm being quoted in captive trade descriptions.
Juveniles and subadults naturally are much smaller (just a few cm total body length).
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🎨Coloration:
The base colour tends to be dark brown to blackish, often with a slightly more reddish or “burnt” hue in some lighting or preservation states.
The pedipalps (pincers) may appear somewhat lighter or carry reddish tinges (especially on the fingers) compared to the carapace and metasoma (tail).
Granulation (small raised bumps) and sculpturing are visible on the carapace, tergites, and pedipalp segments, giving a textured appearance.
The legs are typicallyslightly lighter than the body, giving of a yellow-osh colour.
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Captive Care
📏Enclosure Size:
A single adult does well in a 5- gallon terrarium with more floor space than height. Provide 10 cm of substrate for digging shallow retreats. Include plenty of rock slabs, cork bark, or stacked slate to imitate the rocky forest floor and to create secure hides.
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🌡️Temperature:
Keep the enclosure at 24–28 °C by day with a slight gradient; avoid overheating above 28 °C. Nighttime temperatures can drop to 20 °C, similar to montane Yunnan nights. Usually no strong heat source is needed indoors; if your room is cooler than 20 °C, use a low-wattage side heat mat to raise one corner only.
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💧Humidity:
Needs a moderate humidity of 80% with good airflow to prevent mold. Lightly moisten half to two-thirds of the substrate, leaving one area a bit drier so the scorpion can choose. Mist lightly once or twice a week if the substrate dries out.
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🌱Substrate:
Use a moisture-retentive but firm mix of coco-fiber or forest soil blended with sand or clay for stability. Depth of 105 cm supports burrows and helps maintain humidity. Keep the lower layers slightly damp and the top layer just barely moist or dry..
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⏰Feeding schedule:
Feed adults every 10–14 days. Offer live prey such as:
Crickets
Roaches
Locusts
Occasionally superworms (not as staple food)
Juveniles may feed more often, about once per week. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours to avoid stress or injury to the scorpion. Adults sometimes fast for weeks, which is normal if the scorpion is otherwise healthy.
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🥣Water Source:
Provide a small, shallow water dish with fresh water, frequently. This species drinks a lot of water and ofen burrow very deep in order to access moisture. Keep water bowl filled always.
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🍃Ventilation
Strong cross-ventilation is essential to prevent stagnant air while keeping the substrate dry. Avoid high humidity buildup, airflow should simulate the open, arid conditions of its natural desert habitat.
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VENOM
💉Scorpiops grandjeani belongs to the family Scorpiopidae, whose members are generally mildly venomous compared to the medically significant desert species like Androctonus or Leiurus.
Its venom is not considered dangerous to healthy adults; stings are usually described as moderately painful and localized, similar to a bee or wasp sting.
Typical reactions are brief pain, redness, and slight swelling that resolve within a few hours to a day.
There are no reports of systemic or life-threatening envenomation in the literature.
As with all scorpions, individuals who are allergic, very young, elderly, or immunocompromised could have stronger reactions and should avoid any risk of a sting.
STATS
LATIN NAME:
• Scorpiops grandjeani
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COMMON NAME:
• Thai Flat-Rock Scorpion
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TEMPERATURE
• 24°- 28°
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TEMPERAMENT:
• Very fast
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HUMIDITY:
• 80%
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COMMUNAL:
• No
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SIZE:
• Up to 3 inches
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ECOLOGY:
• Terrestrial
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SUBSTRATE:
• Water retaining Soil
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ORIGIN:
•Trang Province, Thailand
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