A nocturnal hunter. That’s the black scorpion of Abu Dhabi. We’re standing before one now. Imagine its eight legs silently moving across the desert sand.
The Arabian fat-tailed scorpion or black scorpion Androctonus crassicauda is a fascinating creature. It’s widespread in the UAE. You’ll find it in 13 protected areas. One such location is the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. This scorpion isn’t just any scorpion. It’s a crucial part of Abu Dhabi’s biodiversity.
This scorpion’s venom is potent. It’s neurotoxic acting fast. It’s absorbed quickly. The venom can cause paralysis in its prey. This allows the scorpion to eat with ease. The black scorpion uses its pincers to crush its victims. Don’t worry though. According to Federal Law No 24 of 1999 collecting them illegally is prohibited.
These scorpions are masters of survival. They can go months without eating. Amazing isn’t it? They create scrapes in wood for shelter. This helps retain moisture during the day. These scorpions are mostly found in rural areas. Or in suburbs that border the desert. They are less common in the city. They prefer the arid and semi-arid conditions. Sometimes they are found near accumulated vegetation debris. On sandy areas they dig burrows under fire bushes.
The black scorpion’s mating ritual is a dance. The male carefully guides the female over a spermatophore. This process ensures fertilization. It takes anywhere from one to twenty-five hours. The male then retreats quickly to avoid being eaten by the female. Sexual cannibalism is infrequent but possible. The female scorpion gives birth to live young. The babies ride on their mother’s back until their first molt. They need their mother’s protection and moisture regulation. A litter can have from two to one hundred scorplings. The average is about eight.
This scorpion glows under ultraviolet light. This is due to fluorescent chemicals in its exoskeleton. The black scorpion needs five to seven molts to reach maturity. The hardening process is called sclerotization. Interestingly after molting the new exoskeleton does not fluoresce at first. The fluorescence gradually returns.
The black scorpion although dangerous is a vital part of Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem. So let’s appreciate it from a distance. Remember its fascinating adaptations and its important role in the desert’s delicate balance. Let us continue our journey.