common scorpions - African Snakebite Institute

Rough Thicktail
(Parabuthus granulatus, light form)
Rough Thicktail
(Parabuthus granulatus, dark form)
Eastern Nomad
(Hottentotta trilineatus)
Drab Thicktail
(Parabuthus planicauda)
Striped Lesser-Thicktail
(Uroplectes lineatus)
HARMLESS
HARMLESS
Kalahari Burrower
(Opistophthalmus wahlbergii )
Rock Scorpion
(Hadogenes longimanus, female)
NOTE
Tree Creeper
(Opisthacanthus asper)
In the case of stings from harmless species apply an ice pack
or topical anaesthetic cream to manage the pain.
Johan Marais is the author of various books on reptiles including the
best-seller A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa. Scorpion Awareness
and basic first aid for stings are included in several of Johan’s courses. Scorpion
identification and handling courses are also provided through the ASI in conjunction
with local experts Ian Engelbrecht and Alistair Mathie. For more information contact:
Johan Marais | African Snakebite Institute | +27 82 494 2039
johan@africansnakebiteinstitute.com
Find out more at www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com
I
AF R
HARMLESS
Highveld Lesser-Thicktail
(Uroplectes triangulifer triangulifer)
HARMLESS
Rough Burrower
(Opistophthalmus glabrifrons)
HARMLESS
Karoo Burrower
(Opistophthalmus karrooensis)
HARMLESS
HARMLESS
Cape Thicktail
(Parabuthus capensis)
HARMLESS
Plain Pygmy-Thicktail
(Pseudolychas ochraceus)
HARMLESS
Giant Rock Scorpion
(Hadogenes troglodytes, male)
HARMLESS
Drakensberg Creeper
(Opisthacanthus validus)
TM
DANGEROUS
HARMLESS
Common Lesser-Thicktail
(Uroplectes carinatus)
Bark Scorpion
(Uroplectes vittatus)
Cape Burrower
(Opistophthalmus capensis)
Transvaal Thicktail
(Parabuthus transvaalicus)
HARMLESS
HARMLESS
I T U T E.c
VERY
DANGEROUS
DANGEROUS
DANGEROUS
ST
HARMLESS
Jones’s Creeper
(Cheloctonus jonesii )
EMERGENCY PROTOCOL
Stings from dangerous and very
dangerous scorpions must be
treated as a medical emergency.
1 Transport the victim to hospital without delay.
2 Immobilize the affected limb to slow the spread of venom.
3 If the victim stops breathing, apply artificial respiration
or use a Bag Valve Mask.
4 Call the Poison Information Centre helpline for further
advice: 0861 555 777.
... apply a tourniquet.
... cut and suck the wound.
... use ice or very hot water.
... give the victim alcohol.
... apply electric shock.
... inject antivenom randomly.
Antivenom (if required) must
be administered by a doctor
in a hospital environment.
© Johan Marais African Snakebite Institute
VERY
DANGEROUS
VERY
DANGEROUS
Painful sting, but does
not require antivenom
HARMLESS
om
May be life threatening in
small children and animals
DO NOT
DANGEROUS
IN
Has caused
human fatalities
E
E
OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
VERY
DANGEROUS
S NAK
B IT
COMMON SCORPIONS
N
CA