Gigantometrus swammerdami
Gigantometrus swammerdami, commonly called the giant forest scorpion, is a scorpion belonging to the family Scorpionidae. It is native to India and is the world's largest scorpion species at 23 cm in length, and weighs.
Description
Their bodies have colors ranging from uniform reddish brown to reddish black. Juveniles are typically reddish with a yellow telson. They have 16 to 20 pectinal teeth. Its chela are strongly lobiform, and are completely covered by large rounded granulae. Its pedipalp patella lack a pronounced internal tubercle. Its carapace is made up of smooth discs, while the edges and rear portions are textured. Its telson is bulbous, and the vesicle is longer than the aculeus.The neurosecretions of the species are largely identified.
Ecology
Its venom is not usually lethal to humans because it has arguably evolved to kill its prey by crushing it with its pincers and not by venom. This giant forest scorpion has often been seen around tropical rainforests and other types of moderately warm climates.Specimens are collected from inside degraded or semi-degraded termite mounds, tree holes and abandoned rat or crab holes in the bunds of agricultural fields. Males are usually active during the summer season from April to July. Solitary individuals come out of their dens during that period.