| Common Name | Hottentotta Hottentotta |
| Other Name | Alligatorback Scorpion |
| Scientific Name | Hottentotta Hottentotta |
| Species | H. Hottentotta |
| Genus | Hottentotta |
| Family | Buthidae |
| Type | Terrestial |
| Origin | Western Africa |
| Max Size | Around 2-3"(5~8cm) |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Longevity | Up to 3-5 years |
| Habitat | Forests, Savannah |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Experience level | Beginners |
| Venom | Strong |
Hottentotta hottentotta, also known by its common name alligatorback scorpion is a species from the genus Hottentotta. The scorpion lives naturally across West and Central Africa. and Females are famous for capable of parthenogenesis.
Although males exist, sexual dysplasia is not obvious, so it is very difficult to distinguish their genders from their appearance alone.
There are some differences in size and color depending on the local characteristics in which Hottentotta hottentotta lives. Small individuals are found to be about 5cm, and large individuals are found to be up to 8cm, and on average, males are slightly smaller than females. It's a combination of beige, gray, and brown, and the back armor, claws, and venom needles are much darker.
Basically, because of low aggression, they don't often take threatening poses, but it is highly poisonous for its size, so it is recommended to avoid stinging by venom. Hottentota Hottentota's poison is not fatal to humans, but can cause stinging, persistent pain, dizziness, and nausea.
Structures that can be used as shelter are essential because they enjoy digging shallowly and hiding under stones or bark. You can hardly observe movement during the day, but at night it boasts quite a lot of activity.
It is recommended to grow only one scorpion in one container. If you keep several Hottentotta hottentotta in one container, they'll often attack each other. There is little inclination to climb up, so the height of the container is not very important, but shelter and clean water are essential. Many breeders use 100 percent sand, but mixing sand and soil rather than sand is much better for creating scorpions' living conditions because it is easier to dig.
The breeding difficulty is not high, but we will need more information to successfully breed and brood these scorpions.