Hadogenes troglodytes | Flat Rock Scorpion | South African Flat Rock Scorpion

Flat Rock Scorpion or South African Flat Rock Scorpion

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Subphylum: Chelicerata

Class: Arachnida

Order: Scorpiones

Family: Hemiscorpiidae

Genus: Hadogenes

Species: H. troglodytes

Binomial name: Hadogenes troglodytes

Description: Flat rock scorpions are native to South Africa. The majority of the sixteen species of this scorpion live there. These scorpions are large averaging seven inches. They have large strong flat pincers well adapted for grabbing prey in cracks. When you first lay eyes on these scorpions they appear so flat it looks like they have been squashed.

Range Most of southern Africa.

Type Terrestrial.

Diet Babies eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults feed on crickets, large insects, and an occasional pinkie mouse.

Full Grown Size : 5.5 to 7.5 inches.

Growth Slow speed.

Temperature 75 to 85° F.

Humidity 70 to 75%. Adults may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.

Temperament Semi-aggressive and nervous.

Housing Babies can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 to 10-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.

Substrate 3 to 4 inches of sand, peat moss, or potting soil.

Decor No decorations are really needed, but you can add rocks, or cork bark.

Other Names: South African Flat Rock Scorpion.

Care and Feeding: In the wild, Flat Rock Scorpions feed almost exclusively on mollusks, but in captivity will switch fairly well to crickets and other insects including wax worms and mealworms.