Scorpiops thailandus

Scorpiops thailandus is a species of scorpion belonging to the family Scorpiopidae. This species was first described relatively recently, highlighting the ongoing discovery of new arachnid species, especially in biodiverse regions like Southeast Asia. As its name suggests, it is primarily found in Thailand.

HABITAT

🌍 Geographic Range:

Scorpiops thailandus is endemic to Thailand, with a geographically limited distribution within several central-eastern provinces. According to authoritative sources, its confirmed range includes: • Nakhon Nayok Province • Nakhon Ratchasima Province • Phetchabun Province.

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🏡 Microhabitat Preferences:

Scorpiops thailandus inhabits tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems, particularly in moist, mountainous, or hilly terrain. Key characteristics of its habitat include:

• Forest floors with plenty of leaf litter, fallen logs, and rocks, providing shelter and moisture.

• Elevated areas, often in montane forests or forested slopes.

• Shady, humid microhabitats, which are crucial for preventing desiccation. • Areas with minimal disturbance, as they are sensitive to habitat degradation.

These environmental preferences are typical for members of the genus Scorpiops, which avoid open or arid environments and are rarely found in urban or agricultural zones.

Physical Description

📏Size:

Scorpiops thailandus was described in Kovařík et al., 2020 (Euscorpius No. 325).

The adult female holotype measured approximately 45–47 mm in total length (from anterior carapace margin to tip of telson).

Males examined were slightly smaller and more slender, around 40–44 mm.

Pedipalps are proportionally robust with broad chela (pincers), a typical feature of Scorpiops, giving the species a stocky appearance despite its moderate body length.

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🎨Coloration:

The species shows a dark brown to almost blackish carapace and metasoma (tail).

Pedipalps (chelae) tend to be the same dark tone or slightly lighter brown, with the movable finger often showing a faint reddish-brown tinge.

The legs are typically lighter brown to yellow-brown, creating a subtle contrast with the darker body.

Sternum, pectines, and ventral plates are dark brown but may appear a bit paler in preserved specimens.

The cuticle is matte to weakly glossy and finely granulated, especially on the carapace, tergites, and pedipalpal surfaces, which aids in distinguishing it from smoother species.

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Captive Care

📏Enclosure Size:

A single adult can be housed in a 5-gallon terrarium with more floor space than height. Provide at least 8–10 cm of compact, diggable substrate for shallow scrapes and retreats. Add flat rocks, stacked slate, cork bark, and leaf-litter to mimic the shaded, rocky forest-floor crevices where the species is collected.

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🌡️Temperature:

Maintain 24–27 °C during the day with a mild gradient; avoid exceeding 28 °C. Allow nights to drop to 20–22 °C, reflecting the cooler foothill conditions of Thai montane forests. In most indoor settings no strong heat source is needed; if the room falls below 20 °C, warm just one corner with a low-wattage side-mounted mat.

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💧Humidity:

Keep 80 % relative humidity with good cross-ventilation to prevent stagnant air. Moisten roughly half of the substrate, leaving one section drier so the animal can self-select. Light surface misting once or twice a week is enough if deeper layers stay slightly damp..

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🌱Substrate:

Use a firm, moisture-holding forest mix—coco-fiber or native forest soil blended with a little sand or clay to hold shape for retreats. A depth of ~8–10 cm is adequate for this rock- and crevice-associated Scorpiops; keep the lower layers slightly damp and the upper layer just barely moist.

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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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STATS

LATIN NAME:

• Scorpiops thailandus

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COMMON NAME:

• Thai Yellow-Legged Scorpion

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TEMPERATURE

• 24°- 28°

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TEMPERAMENT:

• Docile

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HUMIDITY:

• 80%

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COMMUNAL:

• No

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SIZE:

• Up to 3 cm

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ECOLOGY:

• Terrestrial

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SUBSTRATE:

• Water retaining Soil

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ORIGIN:

•Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

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