Hottentotta tamulus, the Indian red scorpion, also known as the eastern Indian scorpion, is a species of scorpion of the family Buthidae. It occurs in most of India, eastern Pakistan and the eastern lowlands of Nepal, and recently from Sri Lanka.
These scorpions pose a particularly high threat in their native lands, due to their tendency to live around humans. Since immediate health care might not always be available in remote Indian villages, death isn’t uncommon after a sting. The deadly neurotoxin rTamapin works quickly to block potassium channels in the body, causing rhythmic fluctuations in blood pressure and cardiovascular collapse. Left untreated, an Indian red scorpion sting can lead to pulmonary edema, causing death in less than 72 hours. Children are especially susceptible to these stings, many times getting stung while running around outside barefoot. Indoors, stings typically occur during the early morning or nighttime, as scorpions accidentally crawl into beds or fall from ceilings.
The Indian red scorpion (Hottentotta tamulus) or eastern Indian scorpion is considered to be the most lethal scorpion in the world. Despite its common name, the scorpion isn’t necessarily red. It can range in color from reddish brown to orange or brown. The Indian red scorpion doesn’t hunt people, but it will sting to defend itself. Children are most likely to die from stings because of their small size.
Characteristics
Size: The Indian red scorpion ranges in size from 2 to 3.5 inches in length.
Color: These scorpions come in a wide array of body colors, from gray to dark orange to bright reddish-brown. Their legs, stingers and the tips of their pincers are a bright orange-red, lending to their name.
Behavior: The Indian red scorpion is the most deadly species of scorpions in the world. These nocturnal predators are native to India and are rarely found outside of Eastern Nepal, Eastern Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Indian red scorpions lie in wait for their prey, grab the passing victim with their pincers and then sting with their tail before feasting on their dying meal. The venom liquefies the prey’s insides, which can then be digested by the scorpion. The remaining body parts are cast aside. Insects and other small invertebrates are the typical food source for these scorpions. Some small vertebrates, such as lizards, can also become prey. Humans and larger animals are not targets of this scorpion, and are only stung as a last resort, self-defense tactic.
These scorpions pose a particularly high threat in their native lands, due to their tendency to live around humans. Since immediate health care might not always be available in remote Indian villages, death isn’t uncommon after a sting. The deadly neurotoxin rTamapin works quickly to block potassium channels in the body, causing rhythmic fluctuations in blood pressure and cardiovascular collapse. Left untreated, an Indian red scorpion sting can lead to pulmonary edema, causing death in less than 72 hours. Children are especially susceptible to these stings, many times getting stung while running around outside barefoot. Indoors, stings typically occur during the early morning or nighttime, as scorpions accidentally crawl into beds or fall from ceilings.
Habitat and ecology
These lethal scorpions live in close proximity to humans, especially in humid, rural areas with low vegetation and tropical to subtropical climates. They take shelter in many of the same places humans do. Since they lie in wait for their prey to pass by, hiding spots inside the home can include under beds, in cabinets and inside shoes. Luckily, the Indian red scorpion is not found in the United States, though some people do keep them as pets.
Despite its medical importance, little is known about the ecology and habitat preferences of this species. It is widespread across vegetated lowlands with subtropical to tropical, humid climate and often lives close to or in human settlements, especially in rural areas.
A study from Saswad-Jejuri, Pune (western India) has found H. tamulus in a wide range of microhabitats, including scrubland and veld with stones, red and black soil in cropland, loamy, grassy and stony hillslopes and -tops, black soil in mango orchards, Eucalyptus plantations, and under tree bark. With an abundance of 48.43% it was by far the most abundant of the six scorpion species recorded in this study.
It occurs rather seldom under tree bark, a habitat dominated by its sister species Hottentotta pachyurus (8.9% versus 91.1% abundance). As all other scorpions, H. tamulus is nocturnal, preying upon small invertebrates and even small vertebrates like lizards.[16] Encounters with humans mainly occur during the night or early morning, when the scorpions accidentally crawl into beds or fall from ceilings.
Tips for Control
The Indian red scorpion isn’t found in the wild in the United States, but about 90 other species of scorpions are. To help control the scorpion population around your home:
Remove low-lying vegetation around your property, as well as other debris that can provide harborage for this predator.
Look for potential harborage areas at night with a portable black light. All scorpions glow under black lights. Check between 9 and 11 PM, especially during the summer months.
Seal up all entry points to your home, including spaces and cracks around windows, in the foundation or under doors. Use caulk and weather stripping, as well as tightly fitting screens.
While you aren’t likely to run into a scorpion as deadly as the Indian red scorpion, these arachnids can still present danger to you and your family. Don’t live in fear – call Terminix® if you’re worried about scorpions in your home and let the professionals put the sting on these pests.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not evaluated the conservation status of the Indian red scorpion. The scorpion is abundant within its range (except for Sri Lanka). However, there are high bounties on collection of wild specimens for scientific research, plus they may be captured for the pet trade. The population trend of the species is unknown.
Indian Red Scorpions and Humans
Despite their potent venom, Indian red scorpions are kept as pets. They are also kept and bred in captivity for medical research. Scorpion toxins include potassium channel-blocking peptides, which may have use as immunosuppressants for autoimmune disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis). Some toxins may have application in dermatology, cancer treatment, and as antimalarial drugs.
Indian red scorpion stings are not uncommon in India and Nepal. While the scorpions are not aggressive, they will sting when stepped on or otherwise threatened. Reported clinical fatality rates range from 8 to 40%. Children are the most common victims. Symptoms of envenomation include severe pain at the site of the sting, vomiting, sweating, breathlessness, and alternating high and low blood pressure and heart rate. The venom targets the pulmonary and cardiovascular system and can cause death from pulmonary edema. While antivenom has little effectiveness, administration of the blood pressure medication prazosin can reduce the mortality rate to less than 4%. Some persons suffer severe allergic reactions to the venom and antivenom, including anaphylaxis.
