Indian Red Scorpion (Hottentotta Tamulus)
The Indian Red Scorpion has been said to be the most lethal in the world. This tiny scorpion does pack a huge punch. When stung, victims typically experience nausea, heart problems, discoloration of the skin, and, in more severe cases, pulmonary edema, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Pulmonary edema causes shortness of breath and could lead to death. The severity of these symptoms depends on the amount of venom received and the susceptibility of the victim. According to clinical studies, however, prazosin, a drug for hypertension that is often given in the event of scorpion stings, reduces risk of mortality to 4%.
These deadly scorpions live mostly in India, in the eastern regions of Nepal and Pakistan, and in Sri Lanka, though sightings there have been rare.
Indian Red Scorpions are not very large, ranging from 40 to 60 milimeters in length. The color of the species varies from orange to brown to grey, and they have dark grey spots scattered from the head on down to the lower back. They also have relatively small pinchers and a large stinger end. Coincidence? I think not.