A recent advisory published by the South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) regarding the antivenom shortage caused some commotion. Too many people, this advisory indicated that antivenom is unavailable for the treatment of envenomation in Southern Africa and patients are going to die. However, this could not be further from reality.

In 2026, Prendini published a monograph that contains a revision of scorpion taxa of the world. This revision includes changes at family, genus, species levels for Southern African scorpions. No doubt that these changes will take time to filter through popular media.

The Eastern Nomad Scorpion is a medium sized scorpion with an average length of 50mm. Dark ridges on the carapace and 3 dark ridges in the tergites, differentiate this scorpion from all other species. Sting is bulbous. Shelters under rocks in a scrape. Common in areas where they occur. 

Chubb's Lessor Thick-Tail Scorpion (Uroplectes chubbi), is a small scorpion with an average length of about 35mm. Light-brown with either a pale stripe or alternating pale and dark pattern down the centre of the tergites, and a dark triangle on the carapace.

Spider Bite & Scorpion Sting First Aid Course.

The Common Lessor Thick-Tail Scorpion (Uroplectes carinatus), is a small scorpion with an average length between 25mm to 40mm. Overall coloration is variable thought out its wide range but generally orange-brown. Dark line on the middle of the tergites.

The Giant Rock Scorpion (Hadogenes troglodytes), is the longest scorpion in Southern Africa attaining a length of 130mm to 150mm. Males have longer tails than females and attaining a length of 190mm. Found on rocky ridges and outcrops.