Urodacus novaehollandiae

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
Female syntype: dorsal (A) and ventral (B) aspects
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Scorpiones
Family:	Urodacidae
Genus:	Urodacus
Species:	U. novaehollandiae
Binomial name
Urodacus novaehollandiae Peters, 1861[1]
Synonyms
Iodacus orthurus Thorell, 1877 Urodacus bicolor Werner, 1936 Urodacus marianus Roewer, 1943

Description

The 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

The 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 further inland at the western end of its range.^[2]

Behaviour

The 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]