Opistophthalmus haackei (Lawrence, 1966)
Opistophthalmus haackei (Lawrence, 1966)
Picture by paulbesterMale Opistophthalmus haackei (Haacke's Burrowing Scorpion) from Klein Pella
A species that is rarely encountered because of their remote location, harsh environment and very few human settlements. They prefer living on the rocky slopes of mountains and rocky gulleys where they hide in any crevices the rocks and boulders provide and which will protect them from the extreme temperatures in their distribution range.
Picture by paulbesterFemale Opistophthalmus haackei (Haacke's Burrowing Scorpion) from Klein Pella
Most Opistophthalmus species are easy to handle as long as they aren't treated roughly or startled. This (very round) female O. haackei shows exactly what their behaviour is like, rather bundling up than striking out.
Picture by paulbesterOpistophthalmus haackei (Haacke's Burrowing Scorpion) from Klein Pella.
A species that inhabits the rocky slopes of the mountains adjacent to the Orange River. Not an easy species to try and UV light for at night considering where you have to look for them. They seem to like areas where the slopes of the mountains are extremely loose with rocks and boulders, making it a difficult walk in the pitch black of the night.