In today’s article, we will talk about the most venomous scorpions in the world!
While not all creatures on this list are deadly scorpions, they are definitely aggressive and won’t hesitate in defense themselves.
In other words, keep your distance when you see any of these arachnids below. They are the most dangerous scorpion on Earth!
Now, let’s learn more about them!
Most Venomous Scorpions in the World
Here are the world’s most dangerous scorpions in ascending order.
9. Vietnam Forest Scorpion
Although not deadly, the Vietnam forest, Heterometrus laoticus, is a type of scorpion that tend to be pretty aggressive, thus dangerous.
It’s easy to guess from its name that the scorpion is native to Vietnam and certain areas of Asia.
The LD50 of Vietnam Forest scorpion is around 12 mg/kg with intravenous injection.
Symptom of the Vietnam forest scorpion sting includes redness, swelling, inflammation, edema, and severe local pain.
Those symptoms can last for several days. However, the venom is not fatal to humans and can only be caused by mild paralysis.
Read next: Most Venomous Spiders in the World
8. Tanzanian Red-Clawed Scorpion
Scientifically known as Pandinus cavimanus, Tanzanian red-clawed scorpions are considered to be among the most dangerous scorpions in the world.
Visually, they resemble the Emperor scorpions, however, unlike them, the Pandinus cavimanus are more aggressive and highly likable to sting.
Tanzanian red-clawed scorpions like to stay in tropical, humid environments. Therefore, they are often seen near the rainforests and savannas of Africa.
The venom of Tanzanian red-clawed is mild, and therefore, fatalities have not occurred.
Typically, sting symptoms are similar to the bee sting. It is characterized by local pain, redness, and swelling. However, these scorpions have not been studied thoroughly.
7. Indian Red Scorpion
Indian red scorpions, Hottentotta tamulus, are among the most venomous scorpions in the world.
These scorpion species are found in the areas of Nepal and India and have significant importance in local medicine.
If stung, symptoms include intense pain, sweating, vomiting, shortness of breath, abnormal heart rhythm, cyanosis, and others.
If left untreated, the sting can be fatal, and the rate of fatality is between 8 to 40%.
Typically, the scorpion venom attacks the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, too.
As for the venom toxicity, the Indian red scorpion’s venom can be very toxic. Their LD50, when tested on rats, resulted in 1.3 to 2.2 mg/kg.
The volume of venom that can be injected in a single sting is approximately 1.5 mg. This can be eliminated and neutralized by the antivenom, though.
6. Arizona Bark Scorpion – The Most Venomous Scorpion in North America
Arizona Bark scorpions, Centruroides sculpturatus, are among the deadliest scorpions on Earth.
They are typically found in North America, more specifically in the southwestern states and northern parts of Mexico.
LD50 of those creatures is between 1.1 to 1.9 mg/kg. This number can be quite different even within close species, though.
The venom of this scorpion can be very painful, and the sting results in vomiting, tingling, and numbness. Additionally, it can also result in shortness of breath.
The symptoms can last for 24 to 72 hours. The amount of venom that gets injected varies and can differ for every scorpion sting.
5. Rough Thicktail Scorpion
Rough thicktail scorpions, Parabuthus granulatus, are considered to be among the most dangerous scorpions in the world.
They are found in the drier parts of southern Africa. An interesting fact is that these creatures are considered to be very venomous, but there is an effective antivenom, though.
The LD50 for these scorpions, when tested on mice, was 1.56 mg/kg. Their venom is among the most important venoms that are used in medicine.
Sting symptoms include hyperaesthesia, cramps, pain, and paraesthesia. Additionally, it is also characterized by sialorrhoea, dysarthria, and loss of reflexes.
There were 42 cases of rough thicktail scorpion sting, and four of them ended fatally. Sadly, all fatal outcomes were children.
4. Brazilian Yellow Scorpion
Brazilian yellow, Tityus serrulatus, belongs to the family of Buthidae.
The scorpion is found in territories of South America, especially Brazil, and is among the most venomous scorpions in the world.
The LD50 of this dangerous species of scorpion is 0.43 mg/kg. Venom can attack the muscular and nervous systems and even suppress the immune system.
Pain is another symptom almost in every case and, if not treated on time, it can even cause cardiac failure and pulmonary edema.
3. Arabian Fat-Tailed Scorpion
Arabian fat-tailed scorpions, Androctonus crassicauda, are found in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran, and North Africa.
The venom of these medium-sized scorpions consists of cardiotoxins, myotoxins, and neurotoxins. Therefore, this makes them one of the most venomous scorpions in the world, with an LD50 of 0.40 mg/kg.
The sting of Arabian fat-tailed scorpions causes swelling, redness, and intense pain.
Additionally, more systemic symptoms are internal bleeding, respiratory and breathing problems, blurred vision, and heart malfunctions.
If not treated, injecting a high amount of venom can cause death by heart failure or respiratory arrest.
Like most scorpions, these critters usually hide in wood piles, under rocks, and in barks of trees.
Read next: Most Venomous Snakes in the World
2. Yellow Fat-Tailed Scorpion
Yellow fat-tailed scorpions, Androctonus australis, are high on the list of the deadliest scorpions in the world.
These lethal scorpions like desert, dry and hot areas and are typically found in the arid regions of North Africa and Southeast Asia.
As for the venom, these deadliest scorpions have quite a lethal venom, and because of that, they are an important part of medicine.
The LD50 of these scorpions is around 0.32 mg/kg. If not treated on time, the neurotoxins that are found in the venom can be lethal.
If antivenom is not used, humans can die between 2 to 7 hours after the sting. Its powerful stinger can inject up to 4.25 mg of potent venom in just one sting.
The yellow fat-tailed alone is responsible for 80% of stings and 90% of deaths from scorpion stings in North Africa.
1. Deathstalker Scorpion – The Most Venomous Scorpion in the World
Scientifically also known as Leiurus quinquestriatus, the deathstalker is the most venomous scorpion in the world.
When tested on mice, the LD50 of the deathstalker was 0.25 mg/kg. Those arachnids have even been reported in Guinness World Records as the deadliest scorpions. Still, most healthy adult patients survive their painful sting.
These scorpions have very powerful venom, and a sting can cause excruciating pain and paralysis of parts of the body, including life-threatening allergic reactions.
However, its lethality is low. The venom that includes neurotoxins can be found up to 2 mg in one specimen.
Deathstalker can be found in a few African deserts like the Sahara and in the Middle Eastern ones like the Arabian Desert.
What To Do If Someone Gets Stung
If you or anyone around you gets stung, seek immediate medical help if the person exhibits unusual head, neck, and eye movements, muscular twitching, numbness, burning, or tingling sensation, if the person faints, shows anaphylactic shock symptoms, or the person has a history of allergy to insect stings and bites.
More Frightening Scorpions
- Giant Hairy Scorpion – it’s the largest scorpion in North America, reaching 5.5 inches.
- Spitting Thicktail Black Scorpion – it’s one of the largest scorpions in Southern Africa, reaching 4.3 inches.
- Emperor Scorpion – it’s a species of scorpion native to rainforests and savannas in West Africa. It is one of the largest scorpions in the world and lives for 6–8 years.
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