The common name ‘Southern or Wood Scorpion’ is applied to scorpions that belong to the genus Cercophonius, of which there are at least six species in Australia.
Cercophonius squama is a widespread south-eastern Australian
species, found in south-eastern South Australia, Victoria, eastern NSW,
the ACT and Tasmania. It is one of three species of scorpions known to
occur in the greater Melbourne region. The body length, including the
tail, ranges from 25–40 mm, and the body pattern is variegated,
consisting of patches of different shades of brown on a lighter
background.
It lives in burrows under plant litter on the ground; shallow burrows
if occupancy is temporary and deeper ones if occupancy is longer. It
can also live under the bark of standing trees, preferring eucalypts. Cercophonius squama can live for more than three years. It feeds on small invertebrates generally less than 10 mm in body length.
The sting of the Southern or Wood Scorpion can cause inflammation and
pain for several hours, and medical advice should be sought.
