
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Scorpio maurus
A scorpion of about 8cm from North Africa and the Middle East, with a brown body and golden claws. In the desert it digs extremely deep burrows, up to a metre down. Its venom is weak and it poses little danger to people.
Scorpio maurus is a small to medium scorpionid of North Africa and the Middle East, about 8 cm long. Its brown back and golden pincers have earned it the names large-clawed scorpion and Israeli gold scorpion. Nineteen subspecies have been described by Fet and colleagues, and the taxonomy remains unsettled. It lives in deserts and occasionally in sparse woodland, digging very deep burrows that can reach a metre down. Because of that habit, captives are said to do best with deep substrate whose lower layers are kept moist, so that the burrow itself stays comparatively humid. The venom contains a wide range of components, including proteases, phospholipases, protease inhibitors and delta-KTx potassium channel toxins, along with a weak neurotoxin called maurotoxin, but the species is not dangerous to humans and no fatalities have been recorded.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Large-clawed Scorpion lives About 10 years.
The Large-clawed Scorpion grows to About 8cm (76mm) total length.
Origin
North Africa and the Middle East (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Israel, Iraq and neighbouring countries)
Lifespan
About 10 years
Size
About 8cm (76mm) total length
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Scorpio maurus Linnaeus, 1758
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Live insects such as crickets
It lives in desert and sparse woodland. Deep burrows stay damp at the bottom, so keeping the lower substrate moist, and the burrow humid, is said to suit it.
In the wild it digs burrows up to a metre deep. Use a tall enclosure with substrate as deep as practical.
Offer live insects such as crickets; it ambushes prey near the burrow entrance.
The venom has varied components but only a weak neurotoxin; the species is not dangerous to humans and no fatalities are recorded.
The correct name depends on provenance: Israeli populations are now treated as the separate species Scorpio palmatus.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The average lifespan of Large-clawed Scorpion is About 10 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Large-clawed Scorpion typically reaches About 8cm (76mm) total length as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Large-clawed Scorpion feeds on: Live insects such as crickets. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Large-clawed Scorpion varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026