Scorpion  (Pandinus dictator)

Description

One of the world’s largest scorpions, thought to reach up to 17 to 20 centimetres in length (2) (3), Pandinus dictator and other species in the genus are popular in the pet trade (2) (4). Like other members of this group, Pandinus dictator possesses very powerful, broad pincers, short, robust legs with short and spine-like setae (hairs), a stout body and a thickened tail, all adaptations for a burrowing lifestyle (5) (6). Generally dark in colour, Pandinus dictator is not easy to tell apart from other Pandinus species; identification is usually based on the pattern of sensitive hairs, known as trichobothria, on the pincers, which varies between species (2). Like all scorpions, the body of Pandinus dictator fluoresces under ultraviolet light (7).

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