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. Cercophonius squamaPhotographer: Rodney Start /
Source: Museum Victoria 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 Scor