c



c
 

  


 
    

 


The Granulated thick-tailed scorpion is large, about 115 mm in length and dark yellow to
brown colour. It has a relatively small vesicle compared to other species. It is common from
just north of Cape Town to northern Namibia and eastwards into the Northern Province.
This scorpion is responsible for most of the serious cases of envenomation in South Africa.
The venom is more toxic than Parabuthustransvaalicus.

 
 

P. stridulus occurs in the Namid dunes from Oranjemund in the south to the Ugab River in
the north. This scorpion has a shiny integument.

 
   

This scorpion is commonly found under stones in the Boland, south coast and Karoo and is
often misidentified as P. capensis.

 
  

 


70 to 100 mm in length and a yellowish-brown colour although a black variety also occurs. It
occurs just north of the Cape Peninsula northwards into southern Namibia and extending
eastwards into the Eastern Cape becoming less common with this eastward distribution.
 
     

 


The Transvaal thick-tailed scorpion is large, about 140 mm in length and dark brown to black
and hairy. It is reputed to be the second most venomous southern African scorpion. This
scorpion can also be active in the morning and can be found in thatched roofs.

 
 
 
 

This scorpion is very common in the far Northern Province and southern Zimbabwe and
looks similar to P. transvaalicus.

 
 
 


 


The Black hairy thick-tailed scorpion is large, about 140 mm in length and is black in colour.
It is often seen during the day and is common from the Northern Cape and Namibia. Besides
its normal prey it also captures lizards and mice.

’ 
 

  
 

 

      

   
  
 
  


   
  

 

c
    


South Africa has quite a few scorpion species, but luckily for those of us who like the bundu and can͛t resist turning
over rocks, not many of our scorpions are highly venomous, and the risk of a fatal sting is slim. In the great
majority of cases, stings cause pain that lasts no more than a few hours, with no further symptoms. The annual
death rate from stings is only about one to four.




Scorpions with broad pincers often look fearsome, but the pincers are just for grabbing; the sting͛s in the tail.
There͛s a general rule of thumb to distinguish highly venomous scorpions from the mildly venomous (i.e. harmless
to humans):

î? [ighly venomous: thick tails, thin pincers

î? rildly venomous: thin tails, thick pincers
This rule applies to scorpions throughout the world.

In South Africa, it͛s almost always scorpions belonging to the genus Parabuthus that cause fatalities. These
scorpions typically inhabit dry areas, and like digging burrows in sandy soil, sometimes under rocks or at the base
of vegetation.

[  


First, do a bit of research on the area you͛re going to, and find out if scorpions are endemic there. If they are, it͛s
even more important than usual to follow these precautions:

î? Vear shoes, particularly covered shoes and particularly at night. rost stings happen at night, to people
going unshod.
î? Take care when lifting up rocks and fallen branches. It͛s a good idea to wear sturdy gloves when doing
camping chores like building a fire, moving rocks to put up a tent etc.
î? Scorpions and other fearsome beasts are a good motivation to set up and pack up camp while there͛s
daylight.
î? Shake out bedding before you get into it and when packing up. Do the same with clothes and shoes
before dressing.
î? Don͛t sleep directly on the ground ʹ use a groundsheet at least. Your sleepingbag and tent also afford
protection, but keep them zipped up.
î? Avoid sleeping right next to where scorpions may be hanging out, like at the base of thick vegetation.

Keep in mind that most stings occur in the period from October to rarch, with January-February, i.e. summer, as
the peak.

V
 
If a scorpion stings you, you͛ll usually know about it. Even if you don͛t actually see the culprit, you͛ll feel the result:
a sudden, often burning pain at the sting site. The pain may persist from a few minutes to a few hours, and there
may be redness and swelling at the sting site. Fewer than 5% of stings result in symptoms requiring medical
attention. Such symptoms, which suggest a serious sting, generally only start to occur after about half an hour, and
sometimes only after several hours. These may include any of the following:

î? Abdominal cramps
î? A burning sensation, or pins-and-needles, usually of the hands, feet, face and scalp.
î? [ypersensitivity to tactile stimuli e.g. your clothing or bedding become irritating to your skin. Sometimes
you also become extremely sensitive to noise.
î? wack of co-ordination with stiff-legged or ͚drunken͛ walking.
î? Involuntary movements, tremors, muscle weakness
î? [igh or low pulse rate
î? Difficulty swallowing and excessive salivation i.e. drooling
î? Difficulty speaking normally
î? Excessive sweating
î? [eadache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
î? Droopy eyelids
î? Restlessness and anxiety
î? Urine retention
î? Difficulty breathing.
The severity of the sting will depend on several different factors: the species of scorpion, its size and level of
agitation, and where it stings you. A bigger scorpion packs a bigger venom punch, as does a deeper sting.

Your health and age are also significant; stings are more dangerous for children and the elderly, and someone with
cardiac or respiratory problems is at higher risk of a serious reaction.

V  
 
This is one time when you͛ll be forgiven for killing wildlife*: it͛s useful to keep the scorpion for identification
purposes. But only try to bag the specimen if you can do so without risking another sting! Unless you͛re an expert
(i.e. you͛ve done it many times before) don͛t attempt taking the prisoner alive.

Clean the wound and apply a clean cloth, wrapped in ice or moistened with cold water, to the sting site. Take an
over-the-counter painkiller like aspirin or paracetamol. If possible, get to the nearest hospital or doctor. Take note
of any changes or additional symptoms that may occur.

No-one, except a medical professional trained to treat scorpion stings, should attempt to use any additional
methods of treatment. Using the wrong kind or amount of anti-venom or other medications can be very
dangerous.

It͛s also important to reassure the scorpion͛s victim that death from a sting is most unlikely. Sometimes people get
into such a panic that they can even start to show false symptoms!

 

 


The following possibilities must be considered when making a diagnosis: Alcohol withdrawal, Botulism, Diphtheria, Drug
overdose, Encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, [ysteria, reningitis, ryasthenia gravis, ryocardial infarction,
Organophosphate poisoning, Poliomyelitis, Subdural haematoma, Tetanus.

c 






!

1.? First aid treatment is the application of a cold compress, if the hyperaesthesia will allow and an analgesic (Asprin,
Paracetamol) to relieve pain and transport to a hospital.
2.? ronitor cardiac and respiratory functions and treat as required.
3.? Patient with systemic symptoms, especially children and the elderly must be hospitalized for 24 to 48 hours.
4.? Immobilize and clean wound.
5.? Antivenom must  be administered in the case of severe systemic envenomation.
6.? Antihistamine and steroids only to be administered in cases of allergic reaction to antivenom. In the event of
anaphylactic reaction, which must always be anticipated, administer adrenaline.
7.? Atropine may be administered in cases of confirmed Parabuthustransvaalicus envenomation to control excessive
secretions.
8.? Intravenous administration of 10 ml of 10% calcium gluconate IV over 10 to 20 minutes may provide relief from pain
and cramp, but is only effective for 20 to 30 minutes.
9.? Administer a tetanus toxoid to prevent infection.
10.? Envenomation of the eyes must be flushed with water or any bland fluid (milk, urine). In severe cases antivenom can
be diluted 1 to 5 or 1 to 10 with water.
 

1.? Do not use traditional remedies such as incisions, suction, tornique or the application of ointments.
2.? Do not use alcohol as it will only mask any symptoms.
3.? Do not administer antivenom if no signs or symptoms of severe envenomation presents itself.
4.? Do not administer spider or snake antivenom.
5.? Do not administer atropine to reduce salivation in the case of Parabuthusgranulatus stings as it may lead to
unopposed adrenergic reaction.
6.? Do not administer barbiturates, opiates, morphine or morphine derivatives as this could greatly increase convulsions
and cause respiratory distress.

"   




Research in the Vestern Cape was done to improve the treatment for victims stung by Buthidae scorpions as it was felt that the
treatment previously administered was not very effective. Eventually the scorpions responsible for the stings were obtained
when patients were stung and it was established that in the majority of cases it was Parabuthusgranulatusthat was responsible.
Once this had been established, a more specific anti-venom was developed. This proved very successful and patients thereafter
recovered rapidly from stings. In just about all the cases that were researched, patients were stung under very similar
conditions - at night, not wearing shoes on gravel roads

  
#  




[

  




Thick-tail scorpions (family Buthidae). They have thick tails Thin-tail scorpions (families Scorpionidae, Ischnuridae). They
and thin pincers. have thin tails and broad, well developed pincers.

Parabuthusgranulatus Hadogenes minorfemale.

Parabuthusgranulatus sting Opisthacanthuscapensis.

Uroplecteslineatus. Painful sting but not life-threatening. Opistophthalmusadustus.

Parabuthuscapensis Opistophthalmuscapensis
Parabuthustransvaalicus Cheloctonus sp.