Marbled Scorpion

Details

The Marbled Scorpion commonly refers to small Australian scorpions with a mottled pattern, especially the Little Marbled Scorpion (Lychas marmoreus). These compact buthid scorpions have a distinctive dark-on-light marbled pattern and a relatively long tail, and are among the most frequently encountered scorpions in parts of southern and eastern Australia.

Basic Biology

• Representative scientific name: Lychas marmoreus

• Family & genus: Order Scorpiones, family Buthidae, genus Lychas

• Size: Adults reach about 30–40 mm in total length (including tail), classed as small scorpions.

• Life span: Captive and field observations suggest a life span of roughly 4–8 years.

Appearance

Marbled scorpions are typically yellow-brown to light brown with a dark brown, marbled patternover the back, legs and tail. The tail is proportionally long and often thicker than the body, with the sting and tail tip a darker brown. The marbled pattern provides camouflage among bark, leaf litter and soil.

Distribution & Habitat

The species is native to Australia and is widespread across much of the southern mainland, with related marbled species extending into northern and eastern regions. They inhabit eucalypt forests, woodland, scrub and urban gardens, usually sheltering by day under stones, logs, loose bark or plant litter, and they may occasionally enter houses.

Behaviour & Diet

Marbled scorpions are nocturnal predators. By night they leave their shelters to hunt for small invertebrates such as termites, cockroaches, beetles, ants and other arthropods. Using sensitive hairs and chemical cues, they locate prey, strike quickly with the tail and inject venom to subdue it before feeding.

Venom & Human Interactions

Like all scorpions, the Marbled Scorpion has venom glands and a sting used for defence and hunting. For healthy adults, a sting is usually described as very painful, comparable to or worse than a bee sting, with local swelling and discomfort that can last for several hours. In some people, especially those with allergies, more serious reactions may occur and medical advice should be sought.

The species is not regarded as life-threatening in normal circumstances, but any scorpion sting should be treated with caution, particularly in children, the elderly or individuals with known allergies.

Ecological Role

Marbled scorpions are important small predators in their ecosystems, helping to regulate populations of termites, cockroaches and other ground-dwelling insects. Around homes and gardens they occupy a borderline role as both potential hazard and natural pest controller. Understanding their behaviour and taking sensible precautions is usually better than attempting to eradicate them completely.