Heterometrus spinifer, or its common name, Malaysian forest scorpion, is a species of scorpions belonging to the family Scorpionidae.[1]
H. spinifer can reach a length around 10cmto12cmcm (00inchesto05inchescm).[2] The body is shiny black with gray-green reflections. The pincers are highly developed. In captivity it feeds primarily on insects, mainly cockroaches, crickets, and locusts.[3] Its venom can cause severe pain, and mild numbness in the affected area, but it is not typically lethal to humans.[3] These scorpions tend to be skittish and defensive, using their large pedipalps (pincers) to attack, more than their tails.
This species can be found in Southeast Asia,[2] including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, and other Southeast Asian countries .[3] Generally, these terrestrial scorpions live in moist forests in the dark undergrowth under logs or other debris, and they burrow into the ground where they hide during the day.[3]
The Asian Forest Scorpion is commonly kept in the pet trade due to its low venom toxicity [4] and large size.