Scorpians ‹‹ Go Back
Common Name : Giant Forest Scorpion - Scientific Name : Heterometrus swammerdami
- Other Name : Maha Kele Gonussa (S), Black Scorpion (E)
Eluwankulama
10/10/2015
Eluwankulama
10/10/2015
Eluwankulama
10/10/2015
Eluwankulama
10/10/2015
This species is found in Sri Lanka and India. Its venom is not known to be lethal to humans but the sting can cause a considerable amount of pain followed by swelling of the area.
This species belong to the family of largest scorpions in the world and is evolved to kill its prey by crushing with its pincers and not by venom. The subspecies, which is found in India and Sri Lanka, is referred to as H.s. titanicus.
These animals feed on insects such as cockroaches and crickets. I once observed one feeding on an earthworm at Anuradapura. They are usually seen during the rainy season.
I have observed these scorpions at many lowland locations in the dry zone. In Wilpattu I have seen them at Hunuwilagama, Radagama and at Eluwankulama.