Common name: Jayakar’s Scorpion
Scientific name: Hottentotta jayakari
Family: Buthidae

Size:
Total length: 6–10 cm

Identification:
A medium-sized scorpion with a robust body and relatively thick pincers compared to some other desert species. Coloration ranges from yellowish-brown to dark brown, sometimes with darker segments along the tail. The tail (metasoma) is strong and ends with a well-developed stinger. The overall appearance is sturdy rather than slender.

Habitat:
Arid and semi-arid environments including deserts, rocky areas, wadis, and dry plains. Often found under rocks, in burrows, or within crevices.

Status in the UAE:
Native and present in suitable habitats, particularly in desert and mountainous regions.

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

Behavior:
Nocturnal and secretive. Remains hidden during the day under rocks or in burrows, emerging at night to hunt. Uses its pincers to grasp prey and its venomous sting to subdue it. Can be defensive when threatened.

Conservation status:
Not Evaluated (IUCN Red List)