Common name: Deathstalker Scorpion
Scientific name: Leiurus abdullahbayrami
Family: Buthidae

Size:
Body length: 5–8 cm
Weight: —

Identification:
A slender, small-to-medium scorpion with a pale yellow to yellowish-brown coloration. It has long, thin pincers and an elongated tail ending in a pronounced stinger. The body is smooth compared to bulkier scorpion species. Its coloration provides excellent camouflage in sandy and rocky environments.

Habitat:
Arid and semi-arid environments including rocky hillsides, dry valleys, scrublands, and agricultural edges. Often hides under stones, in crevices, or within loose soil.

Status in Lebanon:
Native and locally present. Found in suitable dry and rocky habitats, though rarely encountered due to its nocturnal and secretive nature.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods.

Behavior:
Nocturnal and highly secretive. Remains hidden during the day and becomes active at night to hunt. Uses its venom to quickly immobilize prey. Defensive when threatened and capable of delivering a painful and medically significant sting.

⚠️ Medical Note:
One of the most venomous scorpions in the region. Its sting can cause severe pain and serious symptoms, especially in children and elderly individuals. Immediate medical attention is required in case of envenomation.

Conservation status:
Not formally assessed separately (often included within Leiurus group), but generally not considered threatened