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Large-clawed Scorpion (Scorpio maurus)

Scorpio maurus

The Scorpio maurus, known as the 'Large-clawed Scorpion' or Israeli Gold Scorpion. Belonging to the Scorpionidae family, it is a formidable fossorial of limited size (2-3.1 inches). Although it comes from the same African and Middle Eastern deserts as lethal scorpions like the Leiurus, the maurus has a completely harmless venom and relies entirely on its sturdy pincers (proportionally huge compared to the body and reddish-brown in color) to catch prey. Its immense peculiarity is its behavior in captivity: it digs very deep and intricate dens (up to almost a yard in nature) and if the substrate in the terrarium does not have the perfect combination of clay and humidity not to collapse, the animal will die of stress. Beautiful but incredibly demanding for the setup.

Taxonomy
Class:Arachnida
Order:Scorpiones
Family:Scorpionidae
Subfamily:Scorpioninae
Genus:Scorpio
Species:Scorpio maurus

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

40 - 50 %

Day temperature

25 - 32 °C

Night temperature

18 - 22 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: This recovery makes no geographic-origin or habitat statement beyond the cited facts above.
Taxonomy and Genetics: GBIF/Catalogue of Life displays the name Scorpio maurus Linnaeus, 1758. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond the cited facts above.
Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited facts above.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: GBIF/Catalogue of Life lists “largeclawed scorpion” as an English vernacular name. This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited facts above.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: A field study in southern and south-eastern Turkey observed Scorpio maurus burrows averaging 20 cm deep and 30 cm long. It recorded specimens from underground burrows and from burrows under stones. These are local field observations, not an enclosure or substrate prescription.
Lighting and Heating: This recovery sets no photoperiod or temperature target.
Humidity and Hydration: This recovery sets no humidity or watering target.
Feeding and Supplementation: This recovery sets no feeding or supplementation protocol.
Compatibility and Coexistence: This recovery makes no cohabitation recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: This recovery provides no health, disease, toxicology, or treatment protocol.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Nord Africa e Medio Oriente (Deserti e steppe aride dal Marocco fino all'Iran).

Origin

Africa and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
8 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 8 cm. The Çolak & Karataş — Scorpio maurus source reports a maximum adult measurement of 8 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Scorpio maurus. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
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.

Asian Forest Scorpion

Asian Forest Scorpion

Heterometrus spinifer

Emperor Scorpion

Emperor Scorpion

Pandinus imperator

Peters' Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus petersii)

Peters' Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus petersii)

Heterometrus petersii

Red Claw Scorpion (Pandinus cavimanus)

Red Claw Scorpion (Pandinus cavimanus)

Pandinoides cavimanus

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Last updated: 08/10/2026
Large-clawed Scorpion (Scorpio maurus) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium