i think i saw a black scorpion in my garden do they exist in Britain ?

Question

i think i saw a black scorpion in my garden do they exist in Britain ?

Answer 1

Scorpions do not generally survive in the British climate. They are sometimes kept as pets in a vivarium and might, I suppose, escape from time to time.



A scorpion has pincers like a small lobster, 8 legs and, of course, the tail with a sting on it which is characteristically carried curved over the back.



There are some beetles and beetle larvae (Devil's Coachman) which also curve their tails over their back when disturbed. They are black but don't have the pincers and are not really like scorpions if you saw the two side by side.



Edit: I have found one site ( http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/bugclub/scorp.html ) about keeping scorpions which mentions that one species, Euscorpius flavicordis, has been introduced to Britain. Here is a picture of it:



http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/e_flavicaudis.htm

Answer 2

There are estimated to be around 5 established scorpion colonies in England. Non-native insects, such as the cockroach, generally sneak into the country on ships with food imports, and some also have a love for cardboard. They just crawl onto the ship, hitch a lift, and get off-loaded with the cargo.

Answer 3

There are a few scorpions in the Kent region, yellow tailed.



Otherwise, a pure black one? Hmmm call the RSPCA to check it. It may be an escaped pet.



Google Euscorpius Flavicaudis. They live in Britain.

Answer 4

No, our climate will not support native scorpions (although there was a small colony of scorpions at Ongar station for a long time.... they were an immigrant colony)

unless it was an escaped 'pet', then you have probably misidentified some sort of beetle



was it something like this:

http://www.saferpak.com/images/b_devils_coach_horse.jpg

a devils coach horse

Answer 5

Yes, they do. Have seen them there on visits. Apparently they are from Africa and were brought into the harbor areas hidden in the freight on cargo ships.

Answer 6

Pet shops have them.

Answer 7

eeewww i wish people would stop mentioning spiders i keep coming up all goose bumpy

Answer 8

mabye it was a stag-beatle?