Urodacus armatus

Image above shows an example of a Western Australian scorpion which presently keys out Urodacus armatus. Take note of the very short fingers, very much like U. manicatus.

This scorpion is widespread across Australia, occuring mainly inland in desert environments. As with many Urodacus it's an obligate burrower. This scorpion presents one of the greatest challenges to future taxonomists with it's enormous variation and geographic distribution. It seems certain this species represents a complex of species yet to be deciphered. The individual shown above is an adult female from Perth , Western Australia. This species is one of the smaller members of the Urodacus genus, probably reaching a maximum size of around 50-60mm mouth to tip of sting.

The most common form I have found is the one shown below. It is common across South Australia digging burrows in hard fine silt like soils amongst Causarina pines and also in sympatry with U yaschenkoi on inland sand dune systems. This species is a surface active scorpion, quite unlike U. yaschenkoi.