Opistophthalmus crassimanus (Purcell, 1899) - South Africa

Opistophthalmus crassimanus (Purcell, 1899)

Male and female Opistophthalmus crassimanus (Brawny Burrowing Scorpion) from near Kliprand

A large, robust burrowing scorpion that inhabit the Karoo and Bushmanland where they dig fairly deep burrows in compacted silty soil. The colour variation between male and female can be striking, with females usually much darker than the males. This can be apparent over much of their range except where the Bushmanland and Namaqualand meet, here specimen are pale yellow in both sexes.