Common name: Large-clawed Burrowing Scorpion
Scientific name: Scorpio maurus
Family: Scorpionidae

Size:
Total length: 5–8 cm

Identification:
A robust scorpion with a compact body and very large, powerful pincers compared to its relatively short tail. Coloration ranges from yellowish to dark brown or almost black, depending on the region. The thick pedipalps are a key feature, giving it a bulky appearance. The tail is shorter and less slender than that of many venomous desert scorpions.

Habitat:
Arid and semi-arid environments, including deserts, scrublands, and rocky areas. Strongly associated with soils suitable for burrowing.

Status in the Region:
Native and widespread across North Africa and the Middle East, including parts of the Levant.

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

Behavior:
Nocturnal and fossorial. Constructs deep burrows in soil where it spends most of the day. Emerges at night to hunt near the entrance of its burrow. Uses its large pincers to capture prey, relying less on its venom compared to more dangerous species. Generally slow-moving and defensive rather than aggressive.

Conservation status:
Not Evaluated (IUCN Red List)