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Congo Scorpion (Hottentotta hottentotta)

Hottentotta hottentotta

The Hottentotta hottentotta, commonly known as the 'Congo Scorpion'. It is a wonderful but hyper-aggressive African Buthid of medium size (2.3-3.1 inches). Exhibits a hypnotic coloring: dark back with filiform legs and pincers of a bright Yellow-Orange or Rust. The amazing biological peculiarity of this species is PARTHENOGENESIS: an isolated female, without ever having mated, will spontaneously generate perfect clones of herself for her entire life (churning out dozens of 'surprise' newborns in the breeding). Fast, lethal and with 'medically significant' venom (severe neurotoxic cramps), this scorpion colonizes sub-Saharan Africa. Requires semi-arid terrariums and is highly not recommended for the faint of heart due to the continuous 'explosive' reproductions.

Taxonomy

Class:Arachnida

Order:Scorpiones

Family:Buthidae

Genus:Hottentotta

Species:Hottentotta hottentotta

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

50 - 60 %

Day temperature

28 - 32 °C

Night temperature

22 - 25 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: This recovery makes no geographic-origin or habitat statement.

Taxonomy and Genetics: The GBIF taxon page identifies Hottentotta hottentotta (Fabricius, 1787) and marks it as an accepted species. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond those cited taxonomic facts.

Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited taxonomic facts.

Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited taxonomic facts.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: This recovery does not establish a terrarium setup.

Lighting and Heating: This recovery does not establish lighting or heating parameters.

Humidity and Hydration: This recovery does not establish humidity or hydration parameters.

Feeding and Supplementation: This recovery does not establish feeding or supplementation guidance.

Compatibility and Coexistence: The 2007 Acta Biológica Paranaense paper reports new cases of thelytokous parthenogenesis in female Hottentotta hottentotta from West African populations in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo. This is a study record on reproduction, not a husbandry recommendation.

Health and Common Diseases: This recovery does not establish health, clinical, or veterinary guidance.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Africa Occidentale e Centrale (Savane secche, zone semi-desertiche e boscaglie dal Senegal al Congo).

Origin

Africa and Madagascar

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet: No verified data available
Life expectancy: No verified data available
Adult size: 9 cm
Lifestyle/Microhabitat: No verified data available
Activity cycle: No verified data available
Sociality: No verified data available
Reproduction: No verified data available
Venom level: No verified data available
Handling tolerance: No verified data available
Brumation: No verified data available
Molting: No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Recommended companions

Compatible cards from coherent ecosystems with matching parameters.

Similar care

Cards with similar requirements, difficulty, habitat, and husbandry profile.

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origin

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Image gallery

Related species

Variants and close relatives

Judean Black Scorpion (Hottentotta judaicus)

Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)

Central American Bark Scorpion (Centruroides margaritatus)

Deathstalker Scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus)

Recommended companions

African Fat-Tailed Gecko - Caramel Albino

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

African Fat-Tailed Gecko - Caramel Albino

African Fat-Tailed Gecko - Caramel Albino

Similar care

African Lined Mantis (Sphodromantis lineola)

Ghost Mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa)

Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis)

Giant Asian Mantis (Hierodula membranacea)