Urodacus novaehollandiae, also known as the coastal burrowing scorpion or black sand scorpion, is a species of scorpion in the Urodacidae family. It is endemic to Australia, and was first described in 1861 by German naturaliat Wilhelm Peters.[1]
| Urodacus novaehollandiae | |
|---|---|
_Figure_64_(cropped).jpg)
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| Female syntype: dorsal (A) and ventral (B) aspects | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Family: | Urodacidae |
| Genus: | Urodacus |
| Species: | U. novaehollandiae
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| Binomial name | |
| Urodacus novaehollandiae | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe species grows to about 70–100 mm in length. Colouration is mainly yellowish-brown to dark brown, with the head and pincers darker.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species occurs along the coast of South Australia from Adelaide westwards, around the Great Australian Bight and south-west Western Australia, to Perth. It is found in coastal dunes as well as in sandy soils farther inland at the western end of its range.[2]
Behaviour
editThe scorpions are nocturnal ambush predators. They dig spiral burrows up to 1 m deep where they shelter during the day. They are known to live until at least 12 years old.[2]
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References
edit- ^ a b Peters, W (1861). "Eine neue Eintheilung der Skorpione und über die von ihm in Mossambique gesammelten Arten von Skorpionen, aus welchem hier Auszug mitgetheilt wird". Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. 1861: 507–516 [511].
- ^ a b c "Urodacus novaehollandiae". Friends of Queens Park Bushland. FQPB. 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.