Ranking of the world's top ten poisonous scorpions, Israeli killer scorpions top the list

As an animal with a terrifying appearance, scorpions are highly sought after in the unpopular pet field and have become the subject of intense speculation. Moreover, the more toxic they are, the more attractive they become. Today, I will introduce to you the 10 most venomous scorpions in the world, including the Israeli golden scorpion, the Greek toothed scorpion, the North African black fat-tailed scorpion, the Mexican spiny-tailed scorpion, the yellow fat-tailed scorpion, the Turkish black fat-tailed scorpion, the Brazilian Huang Xie et al. Let’s find out together.

Median Lethal Dose (English: Median Lethal Dose), referred to as LD50 (Lethal Dose, 50%), is a commonly used indicator in toxicology to describe the toxicity of toxic substances or radiation. According to the definition of the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), LD50 refers to "the dose of harmful substances, toxic substances or ionizing radiation that can kill half of the test population." This test was first proposed by J.W. Trevan in 1927.

1. Israeli Golden Scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.16mg/kg)

The Israeli golden scorpion, also known as the death walker, Israeli killer scorpion or Palestinian poisonous scorpion, is a highly venomous scorpion originating from Israel. It is known around the world for its ferocious habits and dangerous venom. Although the Israeli golden scorpion ranks first in the venomous ranking of scorpions, its fatality rate is not high due to the relatively small amount of toxin injected. It has been recorded killing only the elderly and children, and no fatal bites of adults have been recorded. However, it is important to be aware of the presence of this scorpion when traveling in and around Israel.

2. Greek toothed scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.19mg/kg)

The Greek toothed scorpion is the second most venomous scorpion in the world, with a median lethality rate (LD50) of 0.19mg/kg. In terms of toxicity, it is second only to the killer scorpion. However, the danger of the Greek toothed scorpion is far greater than that of the Israeli golden scorpion, which is the most venomous in the world. This is because it not only has strong venom, but also has a very alarming amount of injected toxins. This scorpion is mainly found in Greece and has not yet been found in other countries around the world.

3. North African black fat-tailed scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.31mg/kg)

The North African black fat-tailed scorpion is one of the top ten most venomous scorpions in the world and is extremely dangerous. This scorpion is native to the dry desert areas of North Africa. Adult individuals are approximately 10 to 13 centimeters in length. They have a ferocious temperament, are easily stimulated by the outside world and show nervous behavior, often show their teeth and claws, and are very aggressive.

When North African black fat-tailed scorpions are harassed, they move more quickly and fiercely than usual, and their venom is more deadly. Therefore, this scorpion is not recommended for beginners or young people. In addition, if they live in a low temperature environment below 15 degrees Celsius for too long, it will not only affect their growth rate, but may also cause them to stop eating or even die.

4. Mexican spiny tail scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.31mg/kg)

As one of the ten most deadly scorpions, the Mexican spiny tail scorpion is one of the most venomous scorpions in Mexico and one of the most dangerous scorpions in Latin America. Its venom contains highly lethal neurotoxins with the ability to attack sodium and potassium channels. The toxin can alter nerve and muscle function, leading to respiratory and heart failure. The Mexican spiny scorpion is primarily found in dry and arid areas with poor soil and sparse vegetation, especially areas with sandy and rocky soils. It is also sometimes found in human dwellings. It has been reported that it has even been found at altitudes as high as 500 meters near sea level. Although the Mexican spiny-tailed scorpion is small in size, its venom is enough to kill an adult.

5. Yellow fat-tailed scorpion (LD50: 0.32mg/kg)

The yellow fat-tailed scorpion is one of the top 10 most deadly scorpions and is named after its huge and thick tail. It is widely distributed in Algeria, Chad, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia in North Africa, as well as in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, and other places in West Asia. This scorpion has a ferocious nature and will attack and kill those who come near it. Occasionally, humans or animals have died from bites in their native areas. Therefore, if you want to keep this highly venomous scorpion, you need to be extremely careful and pay attention to safety in terms of management and feeding.

6. Turkish Black Fat-tailed Scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.40mg/kg)

The Turkish black fat-tailed scorpion, also known as the Arabian black fat-tailed scorpion, is one of the most venomous scorpions in the world. The Turkish black fat-tailed scorpion's name literally translates to "human killer". Among them, "άνδρας" refers to "person", and "κτείνειν" means "to kill". At the same time, "thick" or "fat" in Latin refers to the horse's tail, conveying the meaning of "fat tail". This scorpion has a huge and exaggerated tail, glossy black body surface and powerful chelicerae, giving it a unique and breathtaking beauty, showing a domineering appearance that other scorpions do not have.

The terrifying thing about the Turkish Black Fat-tailed Scorpion is that it actively attacks humans and other animals, and the amount of venom it injects is far greater than that of other venomous scorpions. Its fatality rate is as high as 50%.

7. Brazilian yellow scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.43mg/kg)

The Brazilian yellow scorpion is a venomous scorpion and one of the most dangerous in South America. It is a species endemic to Brazil, with a body length of about 5 to 7 cm, a light yellow or brown appearance, and black horizontal stripes on its tail. It is mainly distributed in urban and rural areas in southeastern and central-western Brazil. It likes to live in places with frequent human activities such as garbage dumps, sewers, and gaps in buildings.

The venom of the Brazilian yellow scorpion contains a variety of neurotoxins and blood toxins, the most important of which is tityustoxin (TTX), a powerful toxin that can block sodium ion channels on nerve cells and muscle cells. The toxin works by disrupting the normal function of nerves and muscles. It is important to note that the venom of the Brazilian yellow scorpion is particularly dangerous to children and the elderly because they are lighter and have relatively weak immunity.

According to statistics, hundreds of cases stung by Brazilian yellow scorpions are sent to hospitals in Brazil every year, and dozens of them die unfortunately, with a mortality rate as high as 3%. This once again emphasizes the dangers of encountering the Brazilian yellow scorpion.

8. Mexican red spiny tail scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.43mg/kg)

The Mexican red spiny tail scorpion is also included in the top ten most venomous scorpions. This scorpion is highly venomous and is widely distributed in South and Central America. It mainly inhabits tropical and subtropical areas, spending most of its time hiding under logs or dead wood. Because its body color blends in with the jungle surface environment, it has good camouflage capabilities. The Mexican red scorpion is active and hunts late at night, but if it encounters danger, it will also launch a strong attack. Its venom can kill anyone in just 15 minutes.

9. Mexican statue wood scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.69mg/kg)

The Mexican statue wood scorpion is also a famous venomous scorpion whose sting is considered to be fatal. Although there are more than 30 species of scorpions found throughout the Americas, the Mexican statue wood scorpion is considered a real threat to life. This scorpion likes moist air and warm environments and is often found in human settlements. Mexican statue wood scorpions can be found trapped in indoor sinks, bathtubs, closets, and dark corners of storage rooms.

When stung by a Mexican statue wood scorpion, its venom can cause immediate pain and numbness and tingling in the injured area. Sting victims, whether adults or children, may experience difficulty breathing and are often accompanied by excessive salivation. For children under 6 years old and those with high blood pressure, a sting from the Mexican wooden scorpion can cause death.

10. Libyan golden scorpion (lowest Ld50 value: 0.75mg/kg)

The Libyan golden scorpion is one of the most famous venomous scorpions in Libya. They have a golden appearance and are extremely poisonous. They are called "Ainuweka" by the locals, which is the "Scorpion King". These scorpions primarily live in dry and ventilated environments, as they like to hide in moisture-laden nests, rocks or caves when the environment is hot.

The Libyan golden scorpion prefers to eat small crickets, spiders, small and medium-sized insects, and sometimes even the carcasses of animals or large insects. They have a vicious personality and are fast, but when encountering an enemy, they are usually more inclined to run away than have the will to attack.

The ranking of the 10 most poisonous scorpions in the world is mainly recommended based on the toxicity/popularity of scorpions and comprehensive reference to relevant Internet rankings/lists. The data is as of November 6, 2023. If you have any questions, please leave comments/criticisms at the end. This list is for reference only. If you have better suggestions for this ranking, please leave a message.

animal tags： scorpion