List of scorpions of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a tropical island situated close to the southern tip of India. The invertebrate fauna is as large as it is common to other regions of the world. There are about 2 million species of arthropods found in the world, and still it is counting. So many new species are discover up to this time also. So it is very complicated and difficult to summarize the exact number of species found within a certain region.

The following list provide the scorpions in Sri Lanka.

Scorpions

Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones

Scorpions are easily identified by their large pedipalas and curved tail above the head. There are about 1,750 species of scorpions described within 13 families. Sri Lanka is home for 18 scorpions under 3 families. Whilst all scorpions are venomous, only one species native to Sri Lanka is fatal to humans.

Hottetotta tamulus - only dangerously venomous scorpion, recently found from Sri Lanka
juvenile

Family: Buthidae - Fat-tailed scorpions

Family: Chaerilidae

Family: Scorpionidae

References

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